About

Mature plants may produce a branched spike of yellow flowers in summer. An epiphytic bromeliad forming a dense, funnel-shaped rosette to 80cm across. The arching, strap-shaped leaves are yellow-green with striking, irregular dark green bands.

About the genus

Vriesea are evergreen epiphytic perennials forming rosettes of strap-shaped, often attractively marbled leaves, with erect spikes of flowers with showy bracts in summer or autumn

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A

Plant details

Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Sub-tropical
Native toE. Brazil

Care notes

CultivationUnder glass, grow in pots of standard epiphytic bromeliad compost in bright, indirect light. In the growing season, keep the rosettes filled with soft water, mist daily, and apply a quarter strength foliar fertiliser every 4-5 weeks. Keep just moist in winter. See Bromeliad cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or removal of offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free