Description
Neoregelia olens is a highly varible, medium-sized bromeliad species native to South American rainforests. Sometimes referred to as Neoregelia olens ‘Brazil’ here in Southwest Florida. It features a stiff, upright rosette of smooth green leaves that easily transition into rich bronze or tan hues when grown under high illumination. During its blooming phase, the short, central core of the plant transforms completely, blushing a vibrant, uniform red. Maturing at roughly 8 to 12 inches across, its dependable growth habit, affinity for high humidity, and beautiful color make it an exceptional choice for hanging baskets, terrarium displays, or as a natural nursery site for dart frogs in vivariums.
What’s Included
You will receive one healthy, unpotted baby plant (also called a “pup” or “offset”).
- Size: It will be roughly one-third to one-half the size of a full-grown plant.
- Shipping condition: It ships bare-root, meaning it will arrive safely wrapped without a pot or soil, ready for you to plant or mount immediately.
How to Keep Your Neoregelia olens Happy
Caring for this classic tropical plant is simple and straightforward. Follow these basic steps to ensure it keeps its compact shape and best coloration:
- Step 1: Provide bright, strong filtered light.
To transition the foliage into its warm bronze tones and maximize the deep red flush in the center cup, grow this variety in anything from bright filtered light to full sun layouts. This sun-hardy plant thrives with high-intensity light exposure, which will maximize its color. Avoid sudden exposure to intense, unshaded afternoon sun to prevent initial leaf scorch, as it handles high light best once it has been properly acclimated. - 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 are not planting this in soil and choose to grow it mounted instead, you will want to water the whole plant—roots and all—frequently. We recommend watering daily the first couple of months. We have found this helps the roots attach faster. Once they start to attach you should be able to back off the watering to every 2 or 3 days. If growing in a terrarium or vivarium that requires one or more mists a day, that should be just fine. 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.
