Vriesea fosteriana 'Red Chestnut'

RHS Plant Profile
Foster vase plant 'Red Chestnut'
Foster vase plant 'Red Chestnut' RHS
Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

An evergreen, slow-growing, clump-forming bromeliad grown as a houseplant to around 30cm in height. The thick, glossy green foliage with creamy-white geometric stripes gradually turns red as it matures

Position

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

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1A

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
Vriesea are evergreen epiphytic perennials forming rosettes of strap-shaped, often attractively marbled leaves, with erect spikes of flowers with showy bracts in summer or autumn
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in pots of standard epiphytic bromeliad compost in bright, indirect light. In the growing season, water moderately, mist daily, and apply balanced liquid feed every month. Keep just moist in winter. See Bromeliad cultivation or houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or removal of offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free