Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Pink White | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green Pink White | ||
| Autumn | Green Pink White | |||
| Winter | Green Pink White |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1ABotanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- Brazil
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow indoors as a houseplant or under glass in a terrestial bromeliad compost. Site in bright filtered light and maintain moderate to high humidity. When in growth water moderately but carefully and mist regularly with tepid soft water. Apply a dilute fertilser monthly but reduce water in winter
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown, as soon as ripe, at 27°C or remove offsets in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Low Maintenance
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.
