Scarlet star
Also called Orange star, Guzmania bromeliad.
| Light | bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 7 days in the growing season, every 14 in winter |
| Humidity | high |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Height | Up to 40 cm (16 in) tall |
| Pets | Cats safe, dogs safe |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Guzmania lingulata entry.
Bromeliads grow on tree branches rather than in soil, and everything odd about looking after one follows from that. The roots grip rather than feed; the plant drinks through the cup formed at the centre of the rosette, which you keep filled with rainwater and empty every few weeks so it does not go sour; and the compost stays barely damp. The scarlet or orange part is not the flower but a bract, and it lasts for months, which is why they are sold in flower and why so many people think they have failed when it fades. The plant flowers once and then dies slowly, producing offsets around its base. Pot those up and you have the next one.
Ailments observed
| A soft or mushy base to the stem | Compost kept wet, which is the commonest mistake with any bromeliad. Water into the cup rather than the pot and keep the compost barely damp. The roots are there to hold on, not to drink. |
|---|---|
| Brown crisp edges on the leaves | Hard tap water in the cup, or air that is too dry. Use rainwater in the cup and empty it out every few weeks so it does not go stale. |
Filed underPlants that will not poison the cat, Plants for a bathroom, Plants that forgive a beginner, Plants for humid air, Plants for a balcony or a small space
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