Description
Neoregelia ‘Dragon’ is a medium-sized, spiny bromeliad featuring a rosette spanning 16 to 20 inches at maturity. Its rigid green foliage is defined by striking brown-to-black striations that naturally deepen and darken as the plant matures. Perfect for landscapes or lanais, this low-maintenance variety handles outdoor environments beautifully when provided with proper light. While the plant can handle morning sun, we recommended bright filtered light during the afternoon. Commonly sold as a full sun plant, however here in Southwest Florida we find it typically burns during the summer in an all day full-sun environment.
**Plant will ship bare-root**
How to Keep Your Neoregelia ‘Dragon’ 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. Bright filtered light is your safest bet to ensure there is no damage or scorching to the leaves. The plant can easily handle direct morning sun, but we highly recommend providing filtered light in the afternoon to protect its signature dark stripes. If you choose to acclimate it to a sunnier landscape spot, transition it slowly over several weeks so it can adapt safely and watch for burn!
- 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!
