About

Billbergia nutans is an evergreen perennial that develops rosettes of elongated, arching leaves with a grey-green hue. The plant produces slender stems adorned with pink bracts, from which emerge drooping racemes of flowers featuring pink tubes and reflexed tepals that are green with purple edges.

About the genus

Billbergia is a group of evergreen perennials that develop rosettes of linear or strap-like foliage. They produce clusters of tubular flowers, often accompanied by vibrant bracts.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H2

Plant details

Plant type
Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit
Tufted
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants
Native to
Brazil to N Argentina

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow outdoors as an epiphyte or in humus-rich, sharply drained soil in frost-free location. Under glass grow as an epiphyte or in epiphytic bromeliad compost in bright indirect light. Keep the centre funnel filled with fresh water
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by removing offsets
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free