Vriesea Bromeliad Plant Species
Vriesea (vree’se-a) - Belonging to the Tillandsioideae subfamily; these have been favorite in Europe since the 1830’s and for good reasons. About 290 species have been described and all are worth collecting.
They are very adaptable to cultivation, which makes them exceptional houseplants. Vrieseas are found in rain forests and are primarily epiphytes, growing in partial shade with good air circulation and high humidity. Generally they are medium-sized plants, with smooth, spineless leaves and produce flattened inflorescences resembling a sword, usually with yellow flowers. Flowering takes many months and inflorescences are nearly always upright, reaching a height of 2.7 meters and containing some hundreds of individual flowers in Vriesea imperialis, one of the largest of the genus. Vriesea imperialis is terrestrial and grows to approximately 1.5 meters in diameter.
Vrieseas, because of their wide range in habitat, are tolerant of cold temperatures and ideal plants for the beginner to start with when acquiring a collection. There is wide variation in their foliage, texture and markings. Some have firm, glossy leaves, others are marked with cross banding of remarkable beauty and some, like Vriesea guttata, are speckled. Others resemble tillandsias, such as Vriesea incurva and Vriesea espinosae, which have tillandsia-like leaves and grey scales. All in all, vrieseas are worth collecting no matter which species.
Vriesea guttata pictured.
For more information on the Tillandsioideae Bromeliad subfamily, check out my Bromeliad Subfamily - Tillandsioideae post!
August 10, 2007
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Cindy posted on August 24, 2007:
I was just given a Vriesea for my birthday and it is so beautiful - now - but I am afraid I’m going to kill it. I don’t exactly have a “green thumb” - any tips?
Roy Lesher, Camano Is WA posted on January 3, 2008:
Still around, Cindy? Just for Heaven’s sake, don’t overwater. Just spritzing can be too light, so somewhere in between is best. Make sure you keep a little water in the cup(s) and spritz the medium to keep it moist but not damp. Your brack (flower)will die, but take care of the plant for a long time and your plant will produce pups that will produce inflouences (flowers).
Bromeliad Plant posted on February 8, 2008:
I love the look of the Vriesea Guttata. They are so unique looking. I’ve been think of getting one soon. I think it would look great in my kitchen.
Magda posted on February 29, 2008:
Just a question… What do you do with a dry flower “sword”? Do you cut it at the bottom or leave it?
Betty posted on May 7, 2008:
I was given a Vriesea Bromeliad for my 74 birthday, I know nothing about it except it is beautiful. The bloom has opened at the top and little tendils are emerging. Is this normal and will it bloom again?
Thank you