Description
Neoregelia ‘Raphael’ is a long-time landscaper favorite in Southwest Florida, highly prized for its exceptional color contrast and classic form. This medium-to-large grower forms a very full, clean rosette that typically reaches 16 to 20 inches in diameter at maturity. Its broad foliage features a sharp combination of deep green leaf centers elegantly framed by bright white margins. When grown in the right light, the entire heart of the plant blushes with a beautiful range of deep purple to bright pink tones. This adaptable variety grows best in bright, filtered light or shadier environments, making it an excellent, low-maintenance choice for indoor spaces, patio containers, or tropical landscape beds.
**Plant will ship bare-root**
How to Keep Your Neoregelia ‘Raphael’ Happy
Caring for these resilient plants is straightforward. Use these basic guidelines to maintain their bold white variegation and unlock their colorful center blush:
Step 1: Balance their sun exposure. Grow this variety in bright, filtered light or shadier environments. Strong, filtered light is ideal for bringing out the most vibrant purple and bright pink tones in the center of the plant. Protect it from intense, direct afternoon sun to prevent leaf 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!
