Scarlet star bromeliad Guzmania lingulata
Scarlet star bromeliad (Guzmania lingulata) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Bromeliaceae family, native to Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America (epiphyte in wet lowland and montane forest). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Scarlet star bromeliad in your garden →
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Scarlet star bromeliad at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Mature height | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America (epiphyte in wet lowland and montane forest) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Scarlet star bromeliad toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Bromeliads are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
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 Scarlet star bromeliad
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
See Scarlet star bromeliad in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (32 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (10 plants)
Questions about Scarlet star bromeliad
- How far apart should I plant Scarlet star bromeliad?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Scarlet star bromeliad need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Scarlet star bromeliad need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Scarlet star bromeliad?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Scarlet star bromeliad flower?
- From about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Scarlet star 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. Bromeliads are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Scarlet star bromeliad?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Scarlet star bromeliad. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Cloud Forest conservatory (Cloud Mountain, cool-moist montane climate), Gardens by the Bay
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical montane (cloud forest, about 1,000–3,000 m): needs cool, constantly humid air. In the hot lowlands it is grown in a cooled conservatory (as in the Cloud Forest dome, kept near 23–25 °C).
- Epiphyte: grows on branches in nature; in a garden it is tied onto trees, tree-fern trunks or rock, or grown in very open bark mix.
- A rosette of soft green leaves round a star of scarlet bracts; the rosette dies after flowering and is replaced by pups.
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
- Imperial bromeliad Alcantarea imperialis
- Chilean puya Puya chilensis
- Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides
- Air plant (blushing tillandsia) Tillandsia ionantha
- Blushing bromeliad Neoregelia carolinae
- Flaming sword (vriesea) Lutheria splendens