Billbergia nutans, the plant of shared friendship
Billbergia nutans
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Bromeliads Bromeliaceae
- Genus
- Billbergie Billbergia
- Species
- Billbergia nutans
Other names:Billbergia schimperiana, Billbergia amandae, Billbergia linearifolia, Billbergia minuta, Billbergia nutans f. rupestris, Billbergia nutans var. schimperiana, Billbergia nutans var. striata, Billbergia schimperiana f. rupestris
Billbergia nutans, commonly known as Leaning Billbergia or "Queen's Tears", is an epiphytic bromeliad native to South America. This tropical plant, named after Swedish botanist Gustaf Billberg, can be grown both indoors and outdoors, depending on the climate.
How to recognize Billbergia nutans?
Billbergia nutans is a perennial plant that develops a bushy habit and sprouts at its base. It measures between 40 and 60 centimetres in height, with a spread of 30 to 50 centimetres.
The plant's evergreen foliage is made up of long, narrow, leathery, arching leaves that form a rosette. This practical rosette acts as a water reservoir, replenished by rainfall or your watering can. Resembling olive-green ribbons, the leaf blades have smooth or serrated margins.
Whereas billbergia pyramidalis has flowers grouped in spikes, Billbergia nutans has tubular flowers grouped in drooping clusters. These bright blue-green flowers are supported by red bracts. This leaning flowering stem (Latin: nutans) often produces tear-like droplets of nectar.
After flowering, the plant produces small green berries that turn red when ripe.
While its berries are not edible, the leaning billbergia is not poisonous. It's a safe choice for homes with pets.
In English-speaking countries, Billbergia nutans is often referred to as the "FriendshipPlant". It multiplies and spreads so easily that it has become a symbol of camaraderie shared among friends!
Our care tips
When repotting your Billbergia nutans, preferably use a terracotta pot. This material, which is heavier than plastic, will ensure greater stability and prevent your plant from toppling over under its own weight when it reaches adult size.
Watering
Billbergia nutans like to keep their potting soil moist, but not soggy. Water the substrate when it has dried on the surface, for about two centimetres. Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater at room temperature.
In nature, the plant retains water in the heart of its rosette. In summer, you can pour one or two centimetres of fresh water (rainwater or demineralized water) into its reservoir. Keep the water clean at all times. Drain it every two weeks before refilling the tank.
Don't forget to remove stagnant water from the planter. It causes the roots to rot.
Misting
In our homes, heating dries out the air. To remedy this, mist the foliage of your Billbergia nutans with soft water at room temperature.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Billbergia nutans to give it more space.
Choose a pot with drainage holes that is about ten centimeters in diameter.
Fill it with commercially available bromeliad substrate. Water the substrate to make repotting easier. Plant your Billbergia nutans in the center and firm the soil so the plant is stable.
You can place the pot on a saucer lined with moist clay pellets to increase humidity.
Fertilization
Add green plant fertilizer to watering water.
Also apply a foliar fertilizer for bromeliads when misting.
Taking cuttings
Wait until the end of flowering to propagate your Billbergia nutans.
After flowering, your Billbergia nutans produces suckers. You can remove them to propagate the plant. When they are about ten centimeters long, you can separate them using your hands or a clean knife.
Fill your pot with potting soil for bromeliads and water. Plant your Billbergia nutans in the center and tamp.
Water regularly to keep the potting soil moist for the first two months. Once the plant is well established, you can water it as you would a mature plant.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Tags
- BeginnerFlowery
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower colors
- RedBlue
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