Flaming sword (vriesea) Lutheria splendens
Flaming sword (vriesea) (Lutheria splendens) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Bromeliaceae family, native to Venezuela, the Guianas and Trinidad. It grows 40–80 cm (16–31 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Flaming sword (vriesea) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Mature height | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °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 | Venezuela, the Guianas and Trinidad |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Flaming sword (vriesea) 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 Flaming sword (vriesea)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Flaming sword (vriesea)
- How far apart should I plant Flaming sword (vriesea)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Flaming sword (vriesea) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Flaming sword (vriesea) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Flaming sword (vriesea)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Flaming sword (vriesea) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Flaming sword (vriesea) 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 Flaming sword (vriesea)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Flaming sword (vriesea). 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
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 rosette of dark green leaves banded with purple-black, from which rises a flat, sword-shaped spike of brilliant red bracts that lasts for months. Sold for over a century as Vriesea splendens; recent DNA work moved it to Lutheria.
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
- Blushing bromeliad Neoregelia carolinae