Vriesea ospinae, known as the Yellow Spike Bromeliad, is a tropical evergreen bromeliad grown for its patterned foliage and colourful flower spike. Its smooth, glossy leaves form a neat rosette marked with attractive dark cross-banding.

Native to Colombia, Vriesea ospinae naturally grows as an epiphyte on trees in warm, humid montane forest. It suits tropical terrariums and indoor displays where you can provide similar humid conditions.

Key features

• Evergreen tropical bromeliad
• Smooth, glossy foliage
• Attractive cross-banded leaf markings
• Forms a neat central rosette
• Produces a striking yellow flower spike
• Ideal for humid terrariums and indoor displays

Plant size

• Height: around 30cm to 50cm when mature
• Spread: around 30cm to 45cm

Other common names

• Yellow Spike Bromeliad
• Ospina's Vriesea

Origins and natural habitat

Vriesea ospinae originates from Colombia, where it grows in warm, humid forest. As an epiphyte, it can grow attached to trees rather than relying on soil for its nutrients.

This growth habit makes it particularly suitable for naturalistic tropical displays where it can be positioned among cork, branches and other hardscape.

How to grow Vriesea ospinae

• Grow in bright, indirect light
• Protect from strong direct sunlight
• Provide warm temperatures and good humidity
• Maintain airflow around the foliage
• Use a loose, free-draining growing medium when potting
• Can be mounted onto suitable hardscape in humid conditions

Watering your Yellow Spike Bromeliad

• Keep a small amount of fresh water in the central rosette
• Replace the water regularly to keep it fresh
• Use rainwater where possible
• Keep the growing medium lightly moist but not waterlogged
• Reduce watering during cooler periods

Growing Vriesea ospinae in a terrarium

The combination of patterned leaves and compact rosette growth makes Vriesea ospinae a good feature plant for larger tropical terrariums. Position it where its foliage remains visible rather than allowing faster-growing plants to cover the rosette.

Do you want a bromeliad that looks good even when it is not flowering? The glossy, cross-banded foliage of Vriesea ospinae provides year-round interest, with its yellow flowering display adding another burst of colour when mature.