Neoregelia are tropical evergreen bromeliads grown for their colourful foliage and compact rosette growth. Their strap-shaped leaves form a central cup, with the inner foliage often developing vivid red, pink, purple or other contrasting colours.
Their compact growth and love of warm, humid conditions make many Neoregelia varieties excellent plants for tropical terrariums and vivariums. They can also be grown as unusual houseplants.
Key features
- Evergreen tropical bromeliad
- Forms a distinctive rosette of strap-shaped leaves
- Many varieties develop brightly coloured central foliage
- Compact growth suits planted terrariums
- Small flowers form within the centre of the rosette
- Can be grown mounted or in a free-draining growing medium
Plant size
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Height: commonly 10cm to 40cm depending on variety
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Spread: commonly 15cm to 50cm depending on variety
Other common names
- Neoregelia bromeliad
- Tank bromeliad
Flowers and colourful foliage
Neoregelia are grown mainly for their foliage rather than their flowers. Depending on the variety, leaves may be green, red, pink, purple, spotted, striped or strongly variegated.
As mature plants approach flowering, the leaves surrounding the central cup can become much more colourful. Small tubular flowers appear in a dense cluster within the centre of the rosette, rather than on a tall flower spike.
How to grow Neoregelia
- Grow in bright, indirect light
- Good light helps many varieties develop stronger foliage colour
- Provide warm temperatures and good humidity
- Protect from intense direct sunlight
- Provide good airflow around the foliage
- Use a loose, free-draining growing medium if growing in a pot
Watering your Neoregelia
- Keep a small amount of fresh water in the central rosette
- Replace the water regularly rather than allowing it to become stagnant
- Use rainwater where possible
- Keep the growing medium lightly moist but not waterlogged
- Reduce watering in cooler conditions
Growing Neoregelia in a terrarium
Neoregelia are particularly useful in tropical terrariums and vivariums. Their rosettes provide strong colour and structure, while the central cups naturally hold small amounts of water.
Many varieties can be attached to cork, branches and other hardscape, allowing you to create planting at different heights rather than keeping every plant at substrate level.
Do you want more colour in a tropical terrarium without relying on flowers? Neoregelia provide year-round foliage interest and work particularly well alongside ferns, mosses and other humidity-loving tropical plants.
