Neoregelia spectabilis

RHS Plant Profile
painted fingernail

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painted fingernail RHS 2002

Other common names

fingernail plant

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

An evergreen rosette of leathery strap-shaped dull green leaves to 45cm in length, each tipped with red; inner leaves red. Blue flowers grow from purple-banded green bracts, in the centre of the rosette

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Bromeliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Neoregelia are evergreen, rosette-forming perennials with strap-shaped leaves, the inner ones often brightly coloured; small tubular flowers are borne in dense clusters with showy bracts, in the centre of the rosette in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in epiphytic or terrestrial bromeliad compost in bright filtered light. Water freely with soft water when in growth and keep just moist in winter. Apply a low-nitrogen liquid fertiliser monthly when in growth. May be grown outdoors in gritty, leafy soil in an open site with partial shade or grow epiphytically in a tree

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 27°C as soon as ripe, or separate offsets in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Sever spent rosettes at the bases

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free