Vriesea Bromeliad Plant

Flaming Sword Bromeliad… Painted Feather Bromeliad… Zebra Bromeliad-a Vriesea Bromeliads by any other name is still a Vriesea Bromeliad.

Native to Central and South America, there are approximately 250 known species of Vriesea Bromeliads and dozens of hybrids. Some Vriesea Bromeliad owners are drawn to the attractive foliage while others are drawn to the Vriesea Bromeliad plants that have brightly colored flat flower spikes. The Vriesea bromeliad is closely related to the Tillandsia bromeliad.

Like with all bromeliads, the blooms are very dramatic. V. vulcana, V. fenestralis, and V. Favorite are blooming varieties. The V. fenestralis bromeliad has green bract and yellow flowers that smells like rotting fruit to attract bats. In the wild, bats pollinate the B. fenestalis bromeliad. Some of the Vrieseas Bromeliads are more known for their foliage than their blooms. Two of them are the V. hieroglypics, which has banded leaves that are beautifully colored and the V. fenestralis, which has leaves that are long with purplish mottling.

Proper care of your Vriesea bromeliad plant will assure a healthy, thriving plant. Remember the following for Vriesea plant care:

  • LIGHT
    The type of light that the Vriesea bromeliad grows in will affect the bloom colors. It grows best in a shady area or indirect light. The brighter the light that the plant is put in, the brighter the color of the foliage
  • WATER
    The Vriesea bromeliad will need the central cup kept full and the water should be changed frequently with spring water. Liquid fertilizer can be added to the water sparingly.
  • TEMPERATURE
    The temperature that this bromeliad grows best at is 55 degrees F or above. The plant will tolerate colder temperatures for shorter periods of time.
  • ENVIRONMENT
    The Vriesea bromeliad likes a humid environment. This can be created by placing the pot on a tray with water and rocks or by misting regularly. Grouping plants together will create a more humid environment for the plants.
  • PROPAGATION
    It does not seed. Propagate by separating the pups from the mother plant and plant them in their own pots. There are some popular varieties, like the sword plant that grow pups from the flower stalk. This can make propagation more challenging and it is best to wait for the plant to be more established before removing the pups.
  • GROWING MEDIUM
    Use a rapid draining soil or medium.

With proper care the Vriesea bromeliad will grow to be medium to large sized plant. A mature plant can grow to 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide.

The Vriesea bromeliad plant is available for purchase from February to October and usually will bloom sometime between April and July. Once the Vriesea blooms, it will die. The pups will mature and bloom and the cycle will be repeated. It can be grown outside in plant zone 9 (a and b), zone 10 (a and b), and zone 11, but the Vriesea plant is more commonly grown indoors.

The Vriesea bromeliad is a great plant to purchase for your self and to receive or give as a gift. It is a hardy and because of its beautiful and unique foliage it looks good with or without blooms.

Bromeliad Plant Tillandsia

Another type: Bromeliad Plant Tillandsia.