Vriesea splendens
Flaming Sword
The flaming sword plant 'Vriesea splendens' is a popular indoor bromeliad. The flower head, which can grow up to 2ft., is red and sword-shaped. The leaves are mottled. From South America. This plant can take more than a year to bloom. Once the flowers have bloomed (which can last for a few months) and begin to die the plant will also die. The middle section of the plant will produce offsets that can be re-potted or placed on a bromeliad tree. These plants are potted for a place to sit rather than the soil, which is why they can be planted on a bromeliad tree (a large tree branch that can be used indoors).
Contributed by @zeeshan
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Partial shade
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Very little water
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Not Frost hardy
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Rich and free draining
Common name
Flaming Sword
Latin name
Vriesea splendens
type
Flowering plant
family
Bromeliaceae
ph
5.0 - 6.5 Acid - Neutral
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
Vriesea splendens
The flaming sword plant 'Vriesea splendens' is a popular indoor bromeliad. The flower head, which can grow up to 2ft., is red and sword-shaped. The leaves are mottled. From South America. This plant can take more than a year to bloom. Once the flowers have bloomed (which can last for a few months) and begin to die the plant will also die. The middle section of the plant will produce offsets that can be re-potted or placed on a bromeliad tree. These plants are potted for a place to sit rather than the soil, which is why they can be planted on a bromeliad tree (a large tree branch that can be used indoors).
Planting
From Early Spring TO Late Winter
Pots and potting media can directly affect the moisture levels in the bromeliad. Plastic pots tend to hold moisture for a longer period of time. If you are in an arid region or raising your bromeliad in a heated home, you may want to consider a plastic container to house your plant in. Un-glazed clay pots are porous and allow water to seep out. If you are living in a very humid area, you may want to consider this type of container so your plant doesn’t stay overly wet. You will want to make sure that there is some sort of saucer or pad underneath to catch the seeping water otherwise you could end up damaging the the floor or furniture the pot sits on. Regardless the type of container, never use soil when potting your bromeliad. It is too dense and will not allow for the quick drainage that bromeliads require. Instead, use potting mixes specially formulated for bromeliads or mix your own using porous materials.
Propagation
From Early Spring TO Early Spring
These are pretty easy to propagate, the main plant will send out small off sets around its base, when these have developed small roots they can be cut off and potted up.