Blushing bromeliad Neoregelia carolinae
Blushing bromeliad (Neoregelia carolinae) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Bromeliaceae family, native to Atlantic forest of south-eastern Brazil. It grows 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Blushing bromeliad at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Mature height | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Atlantic forest of south-eastern Brazil |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Blushing bromeliad toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blushing bromeliad
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Blushing bromeliad
- How far apart should I plant Blushing bromeliad?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Blushing bromeliad need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blushing bromeliad need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Blushing bromeliad?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Blushing bromeliad flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Blushing bromeliad poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
- What grows well with Blushing bromeliad?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blushing bromeliad. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- A flat rosette of glossy strap leaves (often striped cream in ‘Tricolor’) whose centre turns brilliant red when it is ready to flower; small violet flowers sit in the water held in the central cup. Keep the cup topped up with rainwater.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Pineapple Ananas comosus
- Urn plant (silver vase bromeliad) Aechmea fasciata
- Scarlet star bromeliad Guzmania lingulata
- Imperial bromeliad Alcantarea imperialis
- Chilean puya Puya chilensis
- Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides
- Air plant (blushing tillandsia) Tillandsia ionantha
- Flaming sword (vriesea) Lutheria splendens