About

A clump-forming bromeliad with slender, funnel-shaped rosettes composed of narrow, arching, shiny leaves to 25cm long. In summer it produces erect flower spikes with yellow-tipped, papery red bracts from which emerge tubular red and yellow flowers.

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, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A

Plant details

Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

CultivationUnder glass, grow in pots of standard epiphytic bromeliad compost in bright, indirect light. In the growing season, water moderately, mist daily, and apply balanced liquid feed every month. Keep just moist in winter. See Bromeliad cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division or removal of offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free