Nidularium 'Fireball'

RHS Plant Profile
bromeliad 'Fireball'

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A type of bromeliad which grows as an epiphytic plant in its natural habitat, but can be grown as an easy to care for houseplant, with thick stems and rosettes of long, leathery, glossy, strap-like green foliage which changes to fiery pinkish-red when exposed to sunlight. Small, purple flower bracts may appear from the centre of the rosettes on mature plants during the summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Bromeliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
A genus of bromeliad with rosettes of long, strap-like, glossy green leaves which can be toothed and variegated and may turn shades of red, purple and pink when exposed to high levels of light. Plants may produce red, purple or white flowers in the autumn
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a free-draining, peat-free compost containing grit or sand in a sheltered location in a consistent temperature of around 60-85°F (15-29°C). Feed with a balanced fertiliser monthly in spring and summer. See bromeliad cultivation or houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by offsets taken from the base of the plant, once they are at least a third of the size of the parent plant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free