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

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What is a Flaming Sword Bromeliad?

Flaming Sword Bromeliads or Vriesea 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.

They are mostly recognisable by their striking flattened flower spike, which rises dramatically from the centre of the plant and resembles, as the name suggests, a flaming sword. The spike can last for months. 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 easy to care for and keep thriving once you understand what they need indoors. Most Bromeliads are killed through overwatering, insufficient light, low humidity, wrong soil and poor feeding routines.

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; meaning they are naturally adapted to filtered light, humidity and warm temperatures. 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. Understanding this life cycle is essential to keeping the plant going for years.

Life span: 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. These pups are genetically identical to the mother and will eventually grow into full plants capable of blooming themselves.

Vriesea 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).

Flaming Sword Bromeliad Indoor Care: Overview

• Light: Provide bright indirect light; place it next to large, bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching.


• Watering: Empty and refill the central 'vase' every 5-7 days to prevent growth of bacteria which may cause the water to become smelly. Keep the soil moist but not soggy to prevent yellowing and rotting. Use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf tips and edges.


• Temperatures: Give it a warmth of 18-26⁰C; keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent stunted growth, yellowing, wilting, leaf curl and drooping.


• Humidity: Maintain a humidity of 60-70% to prevent brown leaf tips. Use a wet pebble tray or a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.


• Soil: Use a fertile, well-drained orchids potting soil which drains easily to prevent rotting.


• Fertilizer: Feed it fortnightly during the growing season with a foliar fertilizer. Do not feed in the cold season to avoid fertilizer burn.


• Pruning: Regularly remove dead yellow leaves and spent flowers to keep it neat and also allow adequate room for the new plants to grow.


• Potting & repotting: Use a shallow, heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over as it can become top-heavy. Repotting may not be necessary as it has a small root system. Provide support like a moss pole to keep it upright.


• Propagation: Propagate from offsets (pups), at the beginning of the growing season to hasten establishment.


• Common problems: Root-rot, curling leaves, brown leaf tips, drooping leaves, leaf patches, scales and mealybugs.

How to take care of Flaming Sword Bromeliad?

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. Apply a little Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) once every few months to encourage stronger growth and vibrant colors. Be cautious when feeding as too much fertilizer can cause faded leaf colors and weak growth.

During fall and winter, suspend feeding entirely as growth is minimal at this time. Feeding at this time may lead to salts buildup and fertilizer burn; leaf curl and brown burnt leaf tips and edges.

Potting Soil

Flaming Sword Bromeliad is an epiphyte, meaning in the wild, it grows on other plants (like tree branches) rather than in soil. Because the roots are minimal and prone to rot, standard potting soil is too dense and moisture-retaining.

Use a nutrient-rich, loose, free-draining bark soil to prevent sogginess while providing the required nutrients. An orchid potting mix or a combination of orchid bark, perlite and a small amount of peat or coco coir are ideal for Flaming Sword bromeliad.

Potting & Repotting

Pot the Flaming Sword Bromeliad in a shallow, heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over as it can become top-heavy. Avoid large pots as it prefers to be slightly root-bound and excess soil around the roots retains moisture unnecessarily.

Repotting may be not necessary as the roots are tiny and are unlikely to fill the pot. If the potting medium is completely broken down, replenish it at the beginning of the spring with fresh potting mix while taking care not to injure the roots.

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

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.

Grooming

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

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.

How to propagate Flaming Sword Bromeliads from pups

1. Allow the pup (offset) 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.

What are Flaming Sword Bromeliads Common Problems?

Flaming Sword Bromeliads common 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.

Why is my Flaming Sword Plant dying?

If the Flaming Sword Bromeliad has flowered then rotting and death of rosette which bore the 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.

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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