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Bromeliad Plant Growing Specifications - Cryptanthus acaulis and Hybrids

This article provides information on the specific growing guidelines for Cryptanthus acaulis and hybrid bromeliads.

Light: Bright light from an east or west window.
Temperature: Warm (60-80 degrees F/16-27 degrees C) year-round.
Fertilizer: In spring and summer, spray laves monthly with a houseplant fertilizer mixed at half the normal strength. In the fall and winter, feed every other month.
Water: In the spring and summer, water as often as needed to keep the roots lightly moist. In the fall and winter, water less often, but do not allow the roots to dry out completely.
Soil: Regular potting soil amended with one-third part peat moss, or use orchid potting soil.
Repotting: Repot every 2 to 3 years in the spring, handling the plant gently to avoid injuring its sparse, shallow roots. This plant does well in a broad container.
Longevity: Up to 10 years or indefinitely when propagated from offsets.
Propagation: Cut away pups and repot them when they are half the size of the parent plant. Keep newly potted pups in a warm place, enclosed in a loose plastic bag for a month to increase humidity.
Selections: Some earth stars feature all-green leaves, while others have red, pink, and green longitudinal stripes. ‘Areltey‘ is quite pink, with gray-green stripes down the center of each leaf. ‘Black Mystic‘, also known as ‘Black Magic‘, has leaves mottled with irregular zebra-like dark bands. A unique earth star, C. sinuosus ‘Cascade‘, produces pups on long stolons, reminiscent of a spider plant.
Display Tips: Young plants make good additions to terrariums. Older plants grown in pots are ideal for low windowsills, where they can easily be viewed from above.