An evergreen, epiphytic bromeliad to 30cm high, with funnel-shaped rosettes of long, smooth, strappy green leaves, held by dark green sheaths beneath. Produces upright flower stems of small creamy white flowers surrounded by large, bright red bracts in summer
0.1-0.5 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow in a peat-free, loam-free, free-draining potting mix, such as a mix of fine bark, perlite and coir fibre, or grow epiphytically on artificial tree branches. Position in bright, filtered light and mist daily with rainwater when in growth. See bromeliad cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagate by seed sown at 27°C (81°F), or by division. Seedlings may take years to flower. Guzmania are monocarpic and will die down after flowering, but usually go on to produce offsets that can be removed and grown separately
No pruning required
May be susceptible to mealybugs
Generally disease-free