Billbergia nutans - Queens Tears, Friendship Plant

Billbergia nutans - 'Queens Tears'; 'Friendship Plant'

(epiphytic Bromeliad)

Pot Size: 1 gallon

Easy-to-grow drought-tolerant native of South America. A Rhizomatic epiphyte that typically grows in trees, without soil, but is easily grown in a pot or ground. Their leathery, dark green leaves form a tight, tall rosette that forms a water reservoir from which grows an elegant pink stem bearing clusters of unique purple blue and pink flowers. Monocarpic, meaning that the rosette dies after blooming, but pups grow on to mature and further bloom. They are often called the Friendship Plant because they are so easy to split and propagate.

NOTE: bloom for this season is over. Pups are well-grown.

Size: 18 inches tall, 10-12 inches wide
Sun: Bright, indirect light to partial shade outside in summer.
Soil: Well-drained and supplemented with organic matter such as Orchid Bark. Water: Drought tolerant: **The majority of the water intake plant comes from the leaves and flowers, less from soil because the roots of this plant primarily anchor it to trees in its native habitat. Mist or spray beneficial. Can rot if kept too wet below.**
Bloom: Late Spring to early fall. Long-lasting pink flowers with green & blue-purple segments. Epsom salts can induce blooming for stubborn plants. Monocarpic.
Other notes and uses: Indoor; outdoor, dry shade - a real showstopper when blooming! 

(Photo credit: D. Apostalos; N. Flechsig)