Mosaic Vase Guzmania musaica
Previously known as:
- Billbergia musaica
- Caraguata musaica
- Tillandsia musaica
- Phonetic Spelling
- gewz-MAIN-ee-uh mew-zay-IH-kuh
- Description
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Mosaic vase is a tropical, epiphytic herbaceous perennial in the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae) native to parts of Central and South America. The epithet musaica is likely the result of a typographic error. The author’s original description of the species cited the attractive mosaic-like pattern of bars and bands on the leaves. The Latin word mosaica (meaning “mosaic”) was likely intended, but the species' name cannot be changed.
Mosaic vase prefers a sunny to a half-shady location in a well-drained potting mix made for orchids. It can also be grown on wood as an epiphyte. Water regularly by filling the central tank completely and allowing the overflow to trickle down into the root zone. The rosette should be kept filled with water at all times.
This plant is attractive with or without flowers. The strap-like leaves are in a rosette and have beautiful spots and bars. From June to August, it has an unusual tubular inflorescence with brilliant yellow-green flowers and pink to red bracts.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: mealybugs are possible pests
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Guzmania
- Species:
- musaica
- Family:
- Bromeliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá, Venezuela
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits split by separating between the septa of adjacent carpels
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Unusual flowers shaped like bundles of candy corn in spikes of brilliant greenish-yellow tubular flowers with pink to red bracts from June to August.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Up to 20-inch leaves are in a basal rosette, overlapping to form a funnel-like central tank or vase. Simple, stiff, strap-shaped, entire. Light green, marked with irregular, horizontal dark green and reddish to brown striations. Offsets may form between the base leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Humidity
