Description
Neoregelia ‘Julia’ is a medium-to-large-sized, striking Chester Skotak hybrid featuring beautiful, dark burgundy and red variegated foliage. This exceptional variety forms a broad rosette that can reach up to around 24 inches in diameter. While it does fantastic planted directly in the landscape, it is one of our absolute favorites for a decorative pot because the mature foliage elegantly hangs down around the top of the container. With its dramatic colors and effortless growth habit, it is the perfect bromeliad for a Florida lanai!
**Plant will ship bare-root**
How to Keep Your Neoregelia ‘Julia’ Happy
Caring for these resilient, exotic beauties is incredibly straightforward! Use these essential guidelines to maximize their rich, dark burgundy colors and keep your clumping plant growing strong:
Step 1: Balance their sun exposure. We highly recommend growing this variety in bright filtered light to bring out its best looks and vibrant red striping. While it does fantastic in high light, a mix of direct morning sun and dappled afternoon shade ensures maximum color saturation without causing any unsightly damage to the variegated leaves. If transitioning it from a shady spot into a sunnier area, do it gradually so it can safely build up its deep burgundy tones without getting sunburned!
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!
