Neoregelia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nee-oh-reg-EL-ee-uh
- Description
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Neoregelias are in the bromeliad family and there are about 100 species. They are compact plants from 2 inches tall to 1 foot tall and up to 2 feet wide. They typically form a “cup” in the middle which gathers water and debris for nutrition Their leaves are often spotted, banded, or marbled with spines along the margins. The central leaves will often turn red when getting ready to bloom.
They generally tolerate temperatures from 50 to 90 degrees and need a sunny spot in the house for the best leaf color. Plant in a soilless medium to provide a well-drained environment. Keep the center vase filled with freshwater- rainwater is best and allow the potting medium to dry completely between waterings.
The flowers are small and appear in the center vase with tubular blooms opening a few at a time. This plant is generally grown for its leaves more than the flowers. Once the plant has finished blooming, it will form "pups" at the base of the plant which when big enough can be removed and repotted. The mother plant will fade and die.
Pests and Problems: leaf spots, bacterial soft rot (especially if too wet), scale insects, mealybugs
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are toothed
- The inflorescence is sessile at the center
- Leaf bases often blush red at flowering time
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Neoregelia
- Family:
- Bromeliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Tropical America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Very Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- The white or blue flowers are usually small and contained in the cup. Only a few are open at any given time, but there are many of them, and they open over an extended period.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are in a basal rosette, form a funnel-like central 'vase', are simple, strap-shaped, toothed and spinose. They can be green, silver, maroon, or red and banded, spotted, striped or marbled. The size varies depending on the species and can be from 1 inch to 10 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Humidity