Neoregelia
Photos by Tom Stuart
Neoregelia has more than 100 species and hundreds of hybrids. The flowers are small, about 1/4 inch, and barely rise above the water in the central cup. They are usually white or blue.
The leaves of the Neoregelia form a rosette when viewed from the top. The coloration of the leaves includes green, shades of red, and some new hybrids from Australia are predominately yellow. There can also be bands across the leaves or various size spots. In today's cultivars the leaves are frequently mottled, spotted, banded or striped The centers are often colored red and the leaves can have a red fingernail (tip of the leaf.) They are excellent for landscaping and also thrive in pots or fastened to trees.
Heavy feeding causes colorful foliage to turn green. It also produces large elongated leaves that are less attractive. Fertilizing very lightly all year around or not at all is also satisfactory. The important rule is not to fertilize heavily as the plant nears maturity.
