Guzmania “minor” Plant

This magnificent bromeliad originates from South and Central America and the Caribbean region.

The striking red flowers with white tips really make this plant a stunner for the home blooming for several months. An easy plant to care for. its Known As ” Scarlet Star ”

Growing Guzmania is simple and its unique growth habit and flower bract will add interest to the home year round.

Temperature : It favours warmth, and thrives in normal indoor temperatures.

Lighting preference : Like the other bromeliads, Guzmanias prefer and are happiest in bright, natural light. An east or west exposure would be best but just be sure they avoid exposure to any direct, hot sun because they’ll burn. They’ll be fine in low light for a few weeks, but they won’t be as long-lasting. If you want them for the long haul & have them produce pups, bright light is the ticket.

Irrigation of water : Guzmanias have a tank, cup, vase or urn (the central well which the flower stalk arises out of) which is how they collect a lot of the water they need. You want to keep that vase about 1/4 of the way full of water & flush it out with fresh water every 1-2 months to avoid any build up of bacteria.

Keep even less water in the tank if you have low light &/or cool temps. You don’t want the plant to rot out. I let the cup go dry for 2-7 days before I refill with a little water.

Because moisture is collected through their leaves, they’d appreciate spraying or misting once or twice a week. I also moisten the growing medium every 1-2 months depending on the temperatures and the season. Like all houseplants, you want to water less in the late fall through winter.

If you have hard water, consider using distilled or purified water. And, don’t overwater your bromeliad – they don’t like to stay constantly wet.

Humidity : Bromeliads are native to the sub tropics & the tropics but seem to handle the lack of humidity in our homes & offices just fine. I want to tell you that Guzmanias are susceptible to brown tipping (at the ends of the leaves)

Fertilization and feeding : Guzmanias, like other bromeliads, get their nutrients from matter which falls on them from plants growing above. The roots are just to anchor them onto whatever they’re growing on – trees, rocks, etc. For this reason, it’s best to spray the fertilizer onto the foliage & the surface of the growing medium. You can use an all-purpose orchid food, diluted to 1/2 strength, or this fertilizer formulated for air plants.

just be sure not too get too much fertilizer in the vase because the salts build up & can burn. Only feed in the spring or summer, & only once or twice a year.

Toxicity : Guzmania plants are considered non-toxic for both cats & dogs. Their leaves are nice & crunchy so if your kitty likes to munch away, you might want to keep the plant out of reach. It won’t poison but could make Fluffy sick.

Pruning : A Guzmania bromeliad has a small root systems so yours may never need repotting. The mother plant eventually dies (sad but true) after flowering which is just part of their cycle. Pups, or babies, will appear at the base of the mother so a part of her actually lives on. Happy ending!

You can leave the pups attached to the mother & cut away the flower & foliage after they die. Or, you can carefully remove the pups with a sharp, clean knife & pot them up in fresh mix. They can also be attached to wood, bark or driftwood for a different look.