Neoregelia spp.

John Skillcorn
Costa Rica
Latest update: 17 August 2002

These Brazilian epiphytes do best in fairly brightly lit conditions.  The leaves are firm and the plant keeps its shape well.  The central vase holds water and makes it a suitable nursery for tadpoles.

The plant shown on the left is Neoregelia meyendorffii, a popular and commonly available species.  The flowers are borne on short stems from the central vase and, although each flower lasts a very short time, there may be flowers opening for several weeks.  It is a noticeable feature of this group of plants that the centre of the plant  becomes  coloured, usually with red, just before flowering commences.  This colouring endures for some time after flowering.

Most people find these plants easy to grow so long as they are not allowed to sit in water.  This will cause rotting to occur and subsequent loss of the plant.

After flowering, young plants will usually be produced on stolons which will arise from the leaf axils, so overcrowding should not become a problem.  Propagation is simply a matter of removing plants once they show signs of producing their own root system.

The plant shown right is Neoregelia spectabilis.  It does best in strong light conditions and produces blue flowers.  It does not change colour at flowering time.