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Guzmania lingulata

Previously known as:

  • Guzmania minor
Phonetic Spelling
guz-MAY-nee-uh lin-gyoo-LAY-tuh
Description

Scarlet Star is a tropical epiphytic bromeliad in the Bromeliaceae family native to rainforest habitats in tropical Americas and the West Indies. The Latin word lingulata means "tongue-shaped referring to the leaves. It is popular in cultivation and has a basal rosette of green leaves with a flower consisting of red or orange bracts and many small white flowers inside it. Several cultivars are available in other colors. The showy inflorescent can last 2-4 months.

This plant grows well in part to full shade and does well under artificial lights. Use potting soil made for bromeliads or orchids and water sparingly. Air needs to be able to circulate around the roots. Keep water in the center cup of the rosette especially in the summer and mist to increase humidity. After flowering, the main plant will decline and die but make off-shoots that can be grown into a new plant. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: leaf spots, scales, spider mites, and mealybugs are potential problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Guzmania.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. cardinalis
    Found in Columbia and Ecuador
  • var. concolor
    Found in Central America, West Indies, northern and central South America
  • var. flammea
    Found in Columbia and Ecuador
  • var. lingulata
    Found in Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, Venezuelan Antilles
  • var. minor
    Smaller size, only grows to 1 ft tall
var. cardinalis, var. concolor, var. flammea, var. lingulata, var. minor
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#showy leaves#epiphytic#interiorscape#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. cardinalis
    Found in Columbia and Ecuador
  • var. concolor
    Found in Central America, West Indies, northern and central South America
  • var. flammea
    Found in Columbia and Ecuador
  • var. lingulata
    Found in Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, Venezuelan Antilles
  • var. minor
    Smaller size, only grows to 1 ft tall
var. cardinalis, var. concolor, var. flammea, var. lingulata, var. minor
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#showy leaves#epiphytic#interiorscape#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Guzmania
    Species:
    lingulata
    Family:
    Bromeliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South East Mexico to Tropical America
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Round flower head with up to 50 white flowers nestled within the red bracts.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 18-inch leathery leaves are in a basal rosette, overlapping to form a funnel-like central 'vase'. Simple, stiff, strap-shaped, entire, and have a generally unmarked surface with parallel venation. Offsets may form between the base leaves. Color may change towards the center of the funnel.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity