Description
Neoregelia ‘Banshee’ is a spectacular Chester Skotak hybrid reaching 12 to 16 inches across at maturity. Its upright rosette features sweeping green leaves with crisp cream margins and distinctive, broken horizontal bands of deep red to purple. Best grown under bright filtered light, with high light exposure and age, the plant will begin to get a beautiful purple wash across the foliage, beautifully contrasting with the heavy, dark reddish-purple banding at the base. An amazing bromeliad to add to any collection.
**Plant will ship bare-root**
How to Keep Your Neoregelia ‘Banshee’ Happy
Caring for this beautiful hybrid is incredibly easy! Just follow these simple steps to keep your plant thriving and to bring out its deep, signature purple colors:
- Step 1: Balance the sun exposure. Bright light is key to unlocking the ‘Banshee’’s dramatic purple veneer and dark reddish-purple bands. It thrives best in bright, dappled light or morning sun with afternoon shade. Avoid harsh, all-day direct sunlight, and always transition the plant to brighter spots gradually to prevent sunburn.
- Step 2: Water the central cup. Instead of watering the soil, pour clean water directly into the center “tank” or cup of the plant. Because sun exposure evaporates water a bit faster, check the cup regularly to ensure it stays filled, and flush it out every couple of weeks with fresh water to keep it clean.
- Step 3: Keep the soil lightly damp. Occasionally give the soil some water just to keep it from drying out completely. Make sure your pots have excellent drainage so the roots never sit in soggy mud. If you are planting them directly in the ground, be sure to choose an area with great drainage where the soil won’t stay wet.
- Step 4: Keep it warm. This tropical plant loves warmth. If you are growing it outdoors, to be safe just remember to bring it inside if the temperature drops below 50°F (10°C) or protect it from the cold or frost as much as possible.
- Step 5: Fertilize sparingly (or not at all). We recommend using a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer just once or twice a year. Be careful, though—too much fertilizer or nitrogen will cause the plant to lose its vibrant color and become leggy and stretched-out looking. In fact, some growers prefer not to fertilize at all to get the very best color from the plant!
