Vriesea Bromeliad (Flaming Sword Bromeliad) Care Indoors, Propagation & Common Problems

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Vriesea Bromeliads commonly called Flaming Sword Bromeliads are typical Bromeliad varieties with a central vase surrounded by a rosette of arching, smooth-edged leaves about 1-1.5 feet long and an upright, sword-like, 2 feet long, flower-head with bright red bracts.

Some species of Vriesea Bromeliads like Vriesea hieroglyphica and Vriesea fenestralis are grown more for their striking foliage rather than for their blooms. Flaming Sword Bromeliads are among popular plants for the living room where they will create a great first impression.

Botanical name: Vriesea
Family: Bromeliaceae
Sufamily: Tillandsioideae
Common name: Flaming Sword Bromeliads

Origin

Vriesea species are widespread over Mexico, Central America, South America and West Indies where they grow as epiphytes on trees The genus name "Vriesea" is in honour of Willem Hendrik de Vriese, a Dutch Botanist and Physcian (1806-1862).

Flower

Flaming Sword Bromeliads may take 3-5 years to reach the flowering stage but the display may last upto 6 months. Once the flowering is over, the rosette of leaves begins to die and is replaced by offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which can be used to propagate new plants.

What is the lifespan of a Flaming Sword Bromeliad?

The lifespan of a Flaming Sword Bromeliad is 5-10 years; the length will depend on the extent of care and management. However, each plant blooms once after 3-5 years and dies being replaced by pups to continue the cycle.

Varieties

The common species of Vriesea Bromeliads include:

• Vriesea splendens: all-red, sword-like flower-head.


• Vriesea vulcana: all-red, spreading flower-head.


• Vriesea favorite: maroon and yellow, spreading flower-head.


• Vriesea carinata: red and yellow, spreading flower-head.


• Vriesea rodigasiana: yellow spreading flower-head.


• Vriesea hieroglyphica: grown for the striking foliage.


• Vriesea fenestralis: grown for the spectacular foliage.

Is Vriesea Bromeliad pet-friendly?

Yes. Vriesea Bromeliad is non-toxic to humans and pets. The plants are safe for cats, dogs and other pets.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Vriesea Bromeliads to your collection to elevate your home decor, you may obtain them from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to care for Flaming Sword Bromeliad indoors

To care for Flaming Sword Bromeliads indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-26⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained orchids potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Vriesea Bromeliads requires pruning to keep it neat and also allow adequate room for the new plants to grow. Repotting may not be necessary as it has a small root system. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How to water Flaming Sword Bromeliad?

Flaming Sword Bromeliads require the central 'vase' to be filled with water at all times. Empty and refill the 'vase' every 5-7 days to prevent growth of bacteria which may cause the water to become smelly.

Use only chlorine-free water like rain water to prevent browning of leaf tips and edges. Ensure that the water is at room temperature to prevent cold shock as it can cause stunted growth.

Moisten the soil only when it dries to keep the roots moist. Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to yellowing, root-rot and eventual death of the bromeliad.

Light Requirements

Flaming Sword Bromeliad thrives in bright indirect light (dapped light); place it infront of a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching the leaves.

If the light is too low, Vriesea Bromeliad will become leggy and will not bloom. Therefore, move it to a brighter location or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Give the pot a quarter turn monthly, to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Flaming Sword Bromeliad prefers a warmth of 18-26⁰C. However, to bring it to flower requires temperatures above 26⁰C.

Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows and others to avoid temperature flactuations which can result in stunted growth, leaf curl, wilting and drooping.

Vriesea Bromeliad prefers a humidity of 60-70%. If the humidity is too low, it can cause reduced growth, leaf curl and brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together. Ensure good air flow to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Flaming Sword Bromeliad with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 2 weeks in spring and summer. Be cautious when feeding as too much fertilizer can cause faded leaf colors and weak growth.

Do not feed in the cold season (fall and winter) as growth is minimal at this time and it may lead to fertilizer burn; leaf curl and brown burnt leaf tips and edges.

Apply a little Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) once every few months to encourage stronger growth and vibrant colors.

Potting Soil

The best potting mix for Flaming Sword Bromeliad should be rich in organic matter, loose, free-draining bark soil to preventsogginess while providing the required nutrients. An orchid potting mix is ideal for this bromeliad.

Repotting

Repotting Vriesea Bromeliad is not necessary as its roots are tiny and are unlikely to fill the pot. Pot the bromeliad in a shallow, heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over as it can become top-heavy.

To help keep the bromeliad upright, provide it with support like a moss pole. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

How to prune a Flaming Sword Bromeliad?

• Remove dead leaves and spent flowers to keep the plant neat and tidy and to allow adequate room for the new plants to grow. Cut the dead foliage at the base with a sharp, clean knife or pruning scissors for clean cuts and to avoid trasmitting diseases.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.

Vriesea Bromeliads Propagation

How to propagate Flaming Sword Bromeliad?

Flaming Sword Bromeliads are propagated from offsets (pups) appearing at the base of the plant, at the beginning of the growing season, to hasten establishment.

Flaming Sword Bromeliads propagation from offsets (pups)

1. Allow the offset (pup) to be 1/3 to 1/2 the height of mother plant so that it is strong enough to survive on its own.


2. Separate the pup from the mother by cutting with a sharp, clean knife or pruning scissors. Ensure the pup has some roots attached to it.


3. Give it a few hours to dry (callous) to prevent rotting.


4. Plant the offset shallowly in loose, free-draining, bark soil.


5. Use a shallow heavy pot to prevent the bromeliad from toppling over as it can get top-heavy.


6. In addition, make sure that the bromeliad is well supported to prevent it from toppling over as its has a small root system.


7. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and keep the soil slightly moist until the new plant is well established.


8. Once the new Bromeliad is well established you can begin normal routine care. Pups take about 6 months to a year to mature.

Learn more on how to propagate Bromeliads from pups.

Vriesea Bromeliads Problems & Solutions

Flaming Sword Bromeliads problems are plant dying, curling leaves, brown leaf tips, drooping leaves, leaf patches, diseases, pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.

Plant dying?

Why is my Flaming Sword Plant dying?

If the Flaming Sword Bromeliad has flowered then rotting and death of rosette which bore flower-stalk is natural to give room for the new plants.

Remove the dead foliage by cutting at the base with a clean knife or a pair of scissors to create space for the new plants.

If the Vriesea Bromeliad has not flowered, the cause of death is root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil.

How do I bring back my bromeliad to life?

1. Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, clean off the soil from the roots and inspect them.


2. Cut away brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution.


3. Clean and disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution and repot the plant in fresh soil. Keep it dry for a few days before beginning the regular watering.


4. Ascertain that the soil is loose, bulky and well-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole.


5. Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Curling leaves

Why are the leaves on my Flaming Sword Plant curling?

The leaves on your Flaming Sword Plant are curling due to underwatering, overwatering, temperature stress, fertilizer burn and pests infestation.

How do you fix curled leaves?

Underwatering: Keep the soil moderately moist and never allow it to dry out completely. Ensure that the central cup is filled at all times.

Overwatering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry. Do not water on a schedule.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, stoves, drafty windows, windy doors to avoid extreme temperatures.

Fertilizer burn: Follow the directions on the label of the plant food to avoid overfeeding. Do not feed in the fall and winter as the growth has slowed.

Pests: Regularly inspect your plant for these sap sucking insects and maintain the plant well pruned.

Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips on Flaming Sword Bromeliad are caused by too dry air or salts buildup.

How to fix it

Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.

Salts buildup: Use only filtered, distilled or rain water to water the plant. Regularly, flush out excess salts from the soil.

Dark, soft, drooping long leaves

Dark, soft, drooping, long leaves (leggy growth) on Flaming Sword Bromeliads are caused by too little light. Move the Bromeliad to a brighter spot or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Pale brown patches

Pale brown patches on Flaming Sword Bromeliad are due to exposing it to direct sunlight. Move the plant to a shadier spot where it will receive indirect light or instal a light curtain to filter the light.

Pests

Flaming Sword Bromeliads are prone to scales and mealybugs infestations. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with horticultural oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

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