Scarlet Star

Botanical Name: Guzmania lingulata

Guzmania lingulata 'Scarlet Star' is one of the most common house plants from the Bromeliad family. Other popular cultivars have bright yellow or orange bracts.

Its leathery, glossy green leaves grow in a rosette that creates an urn which must be filled with water at all times. This is the only plant I know of that should be watered in its center and will not rot.

After 3 or 4 years, Scarlet Star produces bright red bracts that rise in the plant's center and last about 5 months. Its small, white true flowers are almost hidden by the bracts. Plants bloom once and then die, a slow process that takes up to 3 years. Propagating its offsets -- or pups -- that grow at the base of the plant will give you a collection that blooms year after year.

Origin: Central and South America

Height: About 12 in (30 cm) high. Its leaves can reach up to 18 in (45 cm) long.

Light: Moderate to bright light. No direct sun.

Water: Water the center of the rosette and keep 1 in (2.5 cm) of room-temperature rainwater or distilled water in its urn (center of the rosette) at all times. Water soil just enough to keep the roots barely moist. Empty old water from the urn once a month and promptly replace it with fresh water.

Humidity: Prefers high humidity.

Temperature: Average to warm 65-80°F, 18-27°C

Soil: Bromeliad or orchid potting mix. Or mix equal parts fine-grade fir bark and all-purpose potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring through summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half in the plant's urn, then empty it after 1 week and fill with water. Or mist the leaves with a weak foliar fertilizer once a month.

Propagation: Cut off the pups when they reach 3 in (7.5 cm) tall and plant them in fresh, barely moist potting mix. Maintain high humidity for the pups for the first month.