Description
The Neoregelia ‘Candy Apple’ is a medium to large, robust bromeliad featuring a broad rosette typically spanning 20 to 24 inches with glossy, intense green and candy-red foliage. One of the tougher varieties of neoregelias, this low-maintenance and sun-hardy variety provides year-round color and thrives in bright, filtered light or gradually acclimated full sun. Definitely one of our long time favorite bromeliads to use in the landscape here in Southwest Florida!
**Plant will ship bare-root**
How to Keep Your Neoregelia ‘Candy Apple’ Happy
Caring for these tough tropical beauties is incredibly easy! Just follow these simple steps to keep them thriving and beautifully colored:
- Step 1: Balance their sun exposure. Neoregelia ‘Candy Apple’ is a sun-hardy variety that can be successfully acclimated to full sun conditions. While it can handle strong, direct sunlight outdoors, it also thrives beautifully in bright, filtered light.
- 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!
