Vriesea Bromeliad

Vriesea is a genus of tropical evergreen bromeliads with tank-forming leaf rosettes and showy, long-lasting floral bracts. Its many species and hybrids vary in size, foliage, and light needs; some grow as epiphytes or lithophytes, while others grow terrestrially. ## Growing Conditions Use bright filtered light or shade appropriate to the particular plant, and grow it in an airy, well-drained houseplant mix or bark-based orchid mix. Keep fresh water in the central leaf tank and allow overflow to reach the root zone. Most Vrieseas are grown indoors, though plants can spend summer outside in a shaded, warm-climate location. The genus includes more than 230 tropical species and numerous hybrids, with widely varying size, foliage, and light requirements. [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/vriesea/). ## Habit and Growth The upright rosette may have plain green or banded leaves, and the long-lasting bracts can be more conspicuous than the flowers. After flowering, the parent rosette naturally declines while producing offsets near its base. Allow offsets to develop before separating them for propagation. ## Maintenance Keep the central tank supplied with fresh water and use a free-draining growing medium. A half-strength liquid fertilizer may be added monthly to the tank.