Description
Neoregelia ‘Picasso’ is a spectacular and unique hybrid introduced by the world-renowned breeder Chester Skotak. This medium-to-large bromeliad forms a grand, sprawling rosette that can grow up to around 18 to 24 inches across at maturity. True to its artistic name, the broad foliage features crisp white and green variegation heavily accented with a dramatic, dark purple splatter effect concentrated toward the ends of the leaves. This variety grows best in bright, filtered light or shadier environments, making it a highly prized, low-maintenance showpiece for any serious collector’s landscape or patio layout.
**Plant will ship bare-root**
How to Keep Your Neoregelia ‘Picasso’ Happy
Caring for these resilient plants is straightforward. Use these basic guidelines to maintain their intricate patterns and keep your plant growing strong:
Step 1: Balance their sun exposure. Grow this variety in bright, filtered light or shadier environments. Bright, indirect light keeps the purple speckles and variegation sharp and colorful, while shadier placements will offer a slightly softer green look. Keep it fully protected from harsh, direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn and preserve its variegation.
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!
