Description
Neoregelia mcwilliamsii is a large, highly versatile species from Brazil and a long-time landscaper favorite. This fast-spreading variety features long, creeping runners called stolons that allow it to easily spread and form dense clusters. Does well in bright filtered light, or most full sun conditions. At full maturity, individual rosettes typically grow to a substantial 20 to 24 inches across and showcase a spectacular, bright red center cup when in bloom. Thanks to its incredibly durable nature and adaptable growth habit, it is an excellent choice for massive groundcovers, cascading hanging baskets, or mounting directly onto trees or driftwood.
**Plant will ship bare-root**
How to Keep Your Neoregelia mcwilliamsii Happy
Caring for this unique tropical plant is very straightforward. Follow these simple steps to keep your clumping variety healthy and well-colored:
Step 1: Provide bright, filtered light.
Grow this variety in anything from heavily filtered light to full sun layouts. This exceptionally hardy plant thrives with plenty of intense light, which helps maximize its growth rate and triggers its brilliant red central bloom. While it is tough enough to handle full sun all day once properly acclimated, protect it from sudden, unacclimated changes in extreme afternoon heat to avoid leaf damage.
Step 2: Water the central cup.
Whether your plant is grown in soil or mounted, 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: Choose your growing method (Soil or Mounted).
- If planting in pots: Make sure your pots have excellent drainage so the roots never sit in soggy mud. Occasionally give the soil some water just to keep it from drying out completely.
- If planting in the ground: Be sure to choose an area with great drainage where the soil won’t stay wet.
- If mounting (on a tree or driftwood): If you choose to grow it mounted instead of planting in soil, water the whole plant—roots and all—frequently. We recommend watering daily for the first couple of months to help the roots attach faster. Once they start to attach, you can back off watering to every 2 or 3 days. Because it lacks soil to retain ambient moisture, keeping the roots hydrated and maintaining water in the central cup is critical.
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).
- For soil-grown plants: 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!
- For mounted plants: If you choose to grow your plant mounted on a tree or driftwood, we do not recommend fertilizing at all.
