Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Pink | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Pink | |||
| Autumn | Green Pink | |||
| Winter | Green Pink |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Cryptanthus are evergreen, rosette-forming perennials with leathery, wavy-edged, strap-shaped leaves, often attractively variegated, and inconspicuous, usually fragrant, greenish-white flowers in summer
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow indoors as a houseplant or under glass in a terrestrial bromeliad compost. Position in bright, filtered light and maintain moderate to high humidity. When in growth water moderately but carefully and apply a dilute liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. See Bromeliad cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by removing offsets in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Sub-tropical
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to root rot
Get involved
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.