Flaming Sword Bromeliad (Vriesea species)

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Plant Details

Category: Flowering Houseplant
Light: Bright Light
Bloom Season: Summer
Height: 18-36” / 
45-90cm
Space: 12-18” / 
30-45cm
Zones: 10, 11
Lowest Temp: 30° to 40°F / 
-1° to 4°C
Colors: Red, Yellow, Pink, Orange

Basic Care

Mist foliage daily to increase humidity around plant. Keep central cup half filled with water. Grow in bright, indirect light.

Water

Keep central cup half filled with water.

Soil

Small loose bark or orchid mix.

Feed

Monthly with mild liquid fertilizer (half strength) during active growth.

Flaming Sword Bromeliad detailed care guide →

Ornamental Flower

Ornamental Foliage

Containers

Features

Flaming sword bromeliads get their common name from their colorful, often sword-shaped bracts. These epiphytes are native to tropical regions of Central and South America, and the Caribbean where they are found mainly growing in trees.

Vriesea plants produce a distinct rosette of leaves with an open center, or “cup”, that collects water and debris. Organic material decomposes in the water and provides nutrients that can be absorbed by the plant. The size of the plant varies depending on the species.

Small flowers that appear between the bracts are interesting, but not especially showy. The plant dies once flowering is complete but usually not before it has produced some offsets around the plant base. These young plants can be removed and potted to grow new plants.

Uses

One of the more popular bromeliads for growing as an office or houseplant. Adds an exotic touch to outdoor spaces in summer. An easy-care gift plant.

Flaming Sword Bromeliad (Vriesea species) Care Guide

If the plant was purchased in a pot, then it is probably already in a quality potting mix and requires little more than watering and grooming. Bromeliads rarely need to be repotted.

There are two types of bromeliads. Some bromeliads grow on other plants. These are called epiphytes, and they don’t require any potting mix. This type of plant can be grown in a light, well-drained mix of bark, composted peat and perlite, or, rather than growing in a pot, epiphytes’ roots can be wrapped in sphagnum moss and the entire plant can then be mounted onto wood or other surfaces.

The other type of bromeliad (terrestrial) grows in soil and requires a potting mix that retains more moisture, similar to the soils used for traditional potted houseplants. When potting this type of bromeliad, start with a good quality, commercial potting mix.

When repotting terrestrial bromeliads, select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting mix up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. Once potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give the plant a good start. Don’t water bromeliads that have a “cup” in the center of the rosette of foliage that holds water (known as tank bromeliads). In that instance the soil shouldn’t be watered, but rather the center of the rosette should be filled with water.

Bromeliads prefer the bark mix to dry in between thorough watering. Check the bark mix moisture with your finger. If the top inch (3 cm) of bark is dry, it’s time to water. Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the plant. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet. Discard any excess water that has accumulated in the pot’s saucer.

Any bromeliads that are not potted in a container, such as those mounted to a wood surface, should be misted well at least three times a week; more often if the air is dry.

Tank bromeliads (those that have a “cup” in the center of the rosette of foliage that holds water) should be watered by filling the cup with water. Keep the cup topped up with water. Every two months, empty the water and refill the central vase with fresh water.

Remove the flower stalks once they have faded. This keeps the plant looking tidy and may encourage more blooms depending on the type of plant. After flowering, bromeliads make attractive houseplants.

Some plants will re-bloom on their own, but others may have very specific day-length or temperature requirements to flower again. A bit of research may be necessary to determine what is needed to encourage future blooming.

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic.

Liquid fertilizer is the best for bromeliads that aren’t potted in a container. These types of bromeliads absorb the plant food through the leaves. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and dilute it to a quarter the recommended strength.

Slow-release fertilizer is the best for potted bromeliads. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and lightly sprinkle the plant food at the base of the plant. Avoid getting any fertilizer in the central cup of tank bromeliads.

Flaming Sword Bromeliad Companion/Combination Plants

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