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Blushing Bromeliad Neoregelia

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Regelia
Phonetic Spelling
nee-oh-re-JEE-lee-ah
Description

Neoregelia bromeliads are tropical, epiphytic, evergreen herbaceous perennials in the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). They are native to South America. There are over 100 species and many hybrids and cultivars. The genus name was coined in honor of Edouard August von Regel, the director of St. Petersburg Botanic Gardens in Russia during much of the 19th Century. The neo- (new) prefix was added to distinguish it from Regelia, a genus in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) but now treated as a synonymy of Melaleuca.

They generally tolerate temperatures from 50 to 90 degrees F and need a sunny spot in the house for the best leaf color. Plant in a bark-based potting medium (the kind made for orchids) to provide a well-drained root environment. Keep the center vase or tank filled with water (rainwater is best) and allow the potting medium to dry completely between waterings.

Bromeliads are rosette plants from 2 inches tall to 3 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide. Their erect inflorescence can be 6 feet tall. These are tank-forming plants, meaning they form a “cup” or “vase” in the middle of the rosette which impounds water and catches for nutrition.  Their leaves are often spotted, banded, or marbled with spines along the margins. The central leaves in the rosette will often turn red when the plant is getting ready to bloom. The flowers are small and appear in the center tank with tubular blooms opening a few at a time. This plant is generally grown for its leaves rather than the flowers. Once the plant has finished blooming, it will form "pups" at the base of the plant which when big enough (about one-third of adult size) can be removed and potted. The mother plant will fade and die.

These plants make attractive houseplants, although some species are so large that they require a greenhouse or conservatory. The smallest species can be grown in terraria. In the summer, these plants can be placed outside on patios or in the shade of trees. Check the water tanks for snails and frogs before bringing the plants in when the weather gets cool. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves are toothed .
  • The inflorescence is at the water’s surface in the center of the rosette.
  • Leaf bases often blush red at flowering time.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Overwatering can cause root rot or crown rot. Leaf spot may spread rapidly in humid conditions. Fading foliage color results from inadequate light. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves.  The tanks of outdoor plants can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Regular applications of granular Bti-based larvicides are safe for plants, pets and wildlife. (Bti = Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis)

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Neoregelia carolinae (Blushing Bromeliad)
    green, leathery, lance-shaped leaves with red blushing at the base of the inner leaves, violet to lavender blooms
  • Neoregelia spectabilis (Painted Fingernail Plant)
    olive green leaves tipped with red; inner leaves usually marked with maroon,
Neoregelia carolinae (Blushing Bromeliad), Neoregelia spectabilis (Painted Fingernail Plant)
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#colorful leaves#interiorscape#winter interest#tropical herbaceous perennial#variegated#fantz#indoor#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Neoregelia carolinae (Blushing Bromeliad)
    green, leathery, lance-shaped leaves with red blushing at the base of the inner leaves, violet to lavender blooms
  • Neoregelia spectabilis (Painted Fingernail Plant)
    olive green leaves tipped with red; inner leaves usually marked with maroon,
Neoregelia carolinae (Blushing Bromeliad), Neoregelia spectabilis (Painted Fingernail Plant)
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#colorful leaves#interiorscape#winter interest#tropical herbaceous perennial#variegated#fantz#indoor#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Neoregelia
    Family:
    Bromeliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Tropical America
    Distribution:
    Native: Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Peru, and Venezuela
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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, forming a funnel-like central vase or tank and are simple, strap-shaped, and toothed. 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil
    Humidity