Expérimental trials were conducted to investigate the basic components of water balance (water uptake, transpiration, water accumulation) and their relationship to senescence and vase life in cut anthuriums stored under ambient and refrigerated conditions. Anthuriums were held in distilled water and stored under ambient conditions (28 °C; rh 60-80%) and in refrigerated storage chambers set at 18, 13 and 8 °C (rh 80-90%) for a maximum of 30 days. Water uptake, transpiration, water accumulation, flower fresh weight, moisture content and keeping quality (determined through spathe blueing, spathe gloss, spadix necrosis and abscission) were monitored at 5-day intervals. Storage of anthuriums in water at 18 and 13 °C extended shelf-life. The changes in water uptake, transpiration, transpiration:uptake ratio, fresh weight and moisture content were accurately described by logarithmic, exponential and inverse quadratic models. Post-harvest life was directly related to flower turgidity and the rate of water accumulation, which was dependent on the balance between the rates of uptake and transpiration.