Bromeliads
Any of the various mostly
epiphytic tropical plants of the family Bromeliaceae are known as bromeliads. They usually have long stiff leaves,
colorful flowers and showy bracts.
Many people are surprised to learn that bromeliads include the pineapple and spanish moss. All bromeliads are originally native to the New World but many have been introduced into tropical locations worldwide.
Most bromeliads produce an inflorescence that is comprised of a showy bract with several flowers. These flowers can be very fragrant in many species including the common Spanish Moss. Many bromeliad species have large leaf axils and funnels which can hold a considerable amount of water. These small bodies of water act as mini aquariums and are used by many species of frogs to rear their tadpoles. As a result many arboreal frog species spend their entire lives in the rain forest canopy never coming to the ground.
Browse through our Bromeliad selections below and click on any image to see a close up.
Neoregelia compacta
This is an epiphytic species native to Brazil. It is not too fussy about lighting although
the best coloring occurs under brighter lighting.
Light green leaves. Center turns bright red at flowering time.
Flowers barely extend above the center funnel. Grows to about 12"tall in a loose rosette 12" - 14" in diameter.
Leaf axils hold enough water to make it useful thumbnail dart frogs which use it for tadpole rearing.
Sold as a bare root nearly mature single plant. (Color will vary depending on season)
Item # NE COM 1 Status: In Stock Price: $7.00 ea.
Neoregelia lilliputiana
This is an epiphytic, true species from Brazil that is seldom seen offered
for sale. The smallest member of this genus,
its many hybrid varieties are more commonly found. It prefers medium to bright light.
Grows to about 3" tall by 1"-2" in diameter. Small leaf axils hold very little water. Light to dark green
leaves with contrasting red stripes and spots. Sold as a bare root plant
1"-2" tall.
Item # NE-LILP Status: In Stock Price: $9.00 ea.
Neoregelia ampullacea 'Midget'
This is another epiphytic species from Brazil that is slightly more common
than lilliputiana. A nice miniature which grows a bit larger than N. liliputiana
but bears the same basic form and shape. Like most Neoregelia, medium
to bright light produces the best form and color. Grows to about 5" tall
by 2"-3" in diameter. Small leaf axils hold very little water. Heavy maroon
banding which becomes more intense with bright light distinguishes it
from lilliputiana. Sold as a bare root single plant.
Item # NE AMP 1 Status: In Stock Price: $6.50 ea.
Neoregelia lilliputiana X fireball
A neat little epiphytic hybrid that captures the best traits of its parent stock.
Forms a compact rosette of various shades of red, pink and green with red spots.
The best coloration will develop in brighter light. In low light and during winter the coloration will become mostly green.
Barely reaches 4" tall by 3" in diameter. Sends out stolons which form new plants.
Sold as a single bare root plant. (Color will vary depending on season)
Item # NE-FRLIL Status: In Stock Price: $8.00 ea.
Neoregelia olens
This is another Brazilian epiphytic species which can vary greatly in
coloration based on growing conditions. Light green leaves with many maroon
spots and smudges are typical. Leaf tips turn bright red in medium light
and resemble painted fingernails. In very bright light most of the leaves
will turn a mottled red. Grows in a somewhat loose vase shape to about
12"tall. Sold as a bare root nearly mature plant. (Color will vary depending
on season)
Item # NE-OL1 Status: In Stock Price: $7.50 ea.
Neoregelia 'Red Waif '
This is a neat little hybrid cross of Neoregelia ampullacea and Neoregelia 'Fireball'.
It grows to about 3 inches tall in a somewhat loose rosette to about 5 inches in diameter.
The base color is green but is peppered with so many red specks as to appear red.
Best of all some red remains present in even less than ideal lighting conditions.
As with most Neoregelia, the best color will be obtained under bright lighting.
It sends out long stolons, like its parents, and if the pups are not removed will form a nice cluster of colorful plants.
Great for terrariums. Sold as a single bare root nearly mature plant.
Item # NE-WAIF Status: In Stock Price: $7.50 ea.
Neoregelia 'Fireball'
Another epiphytic species from Brazil which still remains unclassified today.
Best colors are achieved in medium to bright light. Grows to about 8" in diameter by 10" high.
Medium leaf axils hold water. In bright light the plant turns blood red; in low light the plant turns emerald green.
Sold as a bare root plant 4"-6"in diameter in the red phase when possible but color will vary depending on season.
Item # NE-FB1 Status: In Stock Price: $6.00 ea.
Neoregelia 'Red Bird'
A hybrid which resulted from crossing Neoregelia 'Midget' and Neoregelia 'Black Knight'.
Epiphytic, medium to bright light.
Very similar in growth and size to "Fireball'.
Grows to about 8" in diameter by 10" high.
Medium leaf funnels hold water.
In bright light plant turns rich, deep maroon to burgundy/red color; in low light turns dark green.
Sold as a bare root plant 4"-6"in diameter. (Color will vary depending on season)
Item # NE-RB1 Status: In Stock Price: $6.00 ea.
Tillandsia bulbosa 'Red Form'
An epiphytic species native to Guatemala.
It has an extreme bulbous base, about an inch thick ,
topped with bizarre narrow twisted leaves that look like green wire.
When in bloom the leaves flush a bright red and it produces a red branched spike with purple flowers.
Grows to about 6 inches. The leaf axils do not hold water.
Does best in medium to bright light and mounted on cork or driftwood where it can dry completely between mistings. Does not grow potted. Sold as bare root mature plant.(Depending on the season the plant you receive may or may not be in bloom.)
Item # TIL-BULB1 Status: In Stock Price: $3.00 ea.
Tillandsia concolor
A hardy, stiff-leaved epiphytic species that grows in exposed habitats in Mexico and El Salvador.
Flourishes under a variety of conditions, from very high light levels to shade.
Will grow up to 6" in diameter and about the same in height.
The inflorescence is a compound ruby red spike with purple flowers.
The photo shows a plant just starting to send up a spike.
An excellent plant for mounting on cork or driftwood where it can dry completely between mistings.
Does not grow potted. Sold as bare root mature plant.
( Depending on the season the plant you receive may or may not be in bloom.)
Item # TIL CONC1 Status: In Stock Price: $3.00 ea.
Neoregelia ampullacea 'Midget'
This is another epiphytic species from Brazil that is slightly more common
than lilliputiana. A nice miniature which grows a bit larger than N. liliputiana
but bears the same basic form and shape. Like most Neoregelia, medium
to bright light produces the best form and color. Grows to about 5" tall
by 2"-3" in diameter. Small leaf axils hold very little water. Heavy maroon
banding which becomes more intense with bright light distinguishes it
from lilliputiana. Sold as a bare root single plant.
Item # NE AMP 1 Status: In Stock Price: $6.50 ea.
