Vriesea spp.

vriesea

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Container Friendly

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Vriesea spp. is a genus of about 250 evergreen bromeliads in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the tropical Americas from Mexico and the Caribbean to Brazil and Argentina. Most are epiphytes growing on trees, with some on rocks or the ground, forming rosettes 8-36 inches (20-90 cm) tall and wide. The strap-shaped leaves are smooth-edged and spineless, arching outward from a central cup that holds rainwater, often glossy green and in some species banded, mottled, or purple-marked. From the center rises a flower spike, in many species flattened and sword-like, with overlapping bracts in red, orange, yellow, or green that hold their color for weeks to months; the small tubular flowers are shorter-lived. Each rosette flowers once, then slowly dies as it produces offsets, called pups, around its base. The genus needs warmth, humidity, and bright filtered light, and the foliage scorches in direct sun and rots if the central cup stays stale or the roots stay waterlogged. Most species are frost-tender and grown indoors or under glass outside the tropics.

Native Range

Native to the tropical Americas, from southern Mexico and the West Indies south through Central America to Brazil, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. Species grow mainly as epiphytes in humid rainforest and cloud forest, with some on rocks and forest floors, from lowlands to mountain elevations.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a houseplant, mounted on bark, and in terrariums and shaded, frost-free tropical gardens, where it can be set in tree forks or grouped at 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) spacing. The long-lasting bract color suits warm, humid rooms and indoor displays. In the tropics it is naturalized onto trees and rocks in shaded, humid positions.

How to Identify

Recognized by a rosette of smooth, spineless strap-shaped leaves forming a central water-holding cup, topped in flower by a spike that is often flattened and sword-like with overlapping red, orange, or yellow bracts. The leaves are frequently banded or mottled. The spineless leaf margins separate Vriesea spp. from Aechmea spp. and Billbergia spp., whose leaves are toothed, and the flattened bract spike distinguishes many species at a glance.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 3'

Width/Spread8" - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom timing varies by species and growing conditions rather than a fixed season, and indoor plants are often brought into flower by suppliers. The colorful bracts last from several weeks to a few months, far longer than the small tubular flowers held between them. Each rosette flowers only once in its life, then produces offsets.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

red, orange, or yellow bracts

Foliage Description

green, often banded or mottled

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in bright, filtered light in a coarse, free-draining, bark-based epiphyte mix with a pH from 5.0 to 6.5, or mounted on bark. Warmth between 60 and 80 F (16 and 27 C) and high humidity suit it, and the plant is damaged below about 45 F (7 C). The central cup is kept topped with water, ideally rainwater or filtered water, and flushed regularly so it does not go stale; the potting mix is kept lightly moist but never waterlogged. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves, while deep shade weakens the rosette and dulls any leaf markings. Light feeding is applied to the mix or as a dilute foliar spray in the growing season. After flowering the parent rosette is left to feed its pups, which are separated once they reach about one-third its size.

Pruning

The spent flower spike is cut out near its base once the bracts fade. As the parent rosette declines after flowering, its outer leaves are trimmed away as they brown. Offsets are detached with a clean cut when they reach about one-third the size of the parent and potted on.