Guzmania monostachia growing on a tree

Credit: Célio Moura Neto

Inflorescence red and yellow Guzmania monostachia

Credit: Cliff

Red and white flower of Guzmania monostachia

Credit: Norman Salazar Arguedas

White flowers of Guzmania monostachia

Credit: Nicolàs Baresch Uribe

Guzmania monostachia, a tropical flowering plant

Are you dreaming of a tropical plant that would be different from Monstera deliciosa variegata, alocasia zebrina and other ornamental foliage varieties? Treat yourself to a Guzmania monostachia. This bromeliad is native to Central America, Brazil and Florida. It is characterized by a colorful, long-lasting bloom.

How to recognize Guzmania monostachia?

Guzmania monostachia grows to no more than 40 cm in height and 75 cm in diameter. This epiphytic perennial has a bushy habit.

Guzmania monostachia is acaule. Its leaves grow in a rosette, forming a central reservoir.

The shiny green blades are flexible and arched. They measure up to 40 centimetres long. They are plain, unlike those of Guzmania zahnii.

Green, then red bracts emerge from the heart of the leaf rosette once the plant has reached adulthood. Densely intertwined, they form a spike on which white or yellow tubular flowers hatch. Guzmania flowers only once before dying. While the flowers only live for a day, the bracts can last for several months.

Guzmania monostachia is non-toxic. The plant presents no danger to you or your pets.

Our maintenance tips

Guzmania monostachia is a monocapric plant. Even with the best care, it dies after flowering. Consider taking cuttings to propagate it!

Watering

Guzmania monostachia 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.

Spray

In the wild, guzmania monostachia benefits from high humidity. Spray it regularly with non-calcareous water to bring it closer to its natural environment.

Fogging will also keep red spiders and other pests away.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Guzmania monostachia, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Add a flowering plant fertilizer to the watering water once a month.

Complete with a foliar fertilizer for bromeliads to be sprayed on the foliage.

Fertilizer stimulates plant growth. But an overdose can damage their leaves. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before fertilizing your Guzmania monostachia.

Prune

When flowering is over, cut off wilted bracts with a clean, sharp tool. This stimulates the production of new shoots.

Cutting

Wait until the end of flowering to propagate your Guzmania monostachia.

Guzmania monostachia flowers only once. The plant dies after flowering. But before it does, it produces shoots. You can repot them to obtain new specimens to grow.

Wait until the offshoots are at least a third of the size of the mother plant. Then detach them by hand or with a sharp knife that you've disinfected beforehand. Your cutting must have its own roots, otherwise it won't be able to grow and cling to its support.

Obtain a pot with a hole five centimetres in diameter. Fill it with potting soil for orchids or bromeliads. Plant your Guzmania monostachia in the center. Press down and water.

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Bromeliads - Bromeliaceae
Type	Guzmania - Guzmania
Species	Guzmania monostachia - Guzmania monostachia
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Flowery
Tags	Flowery Fritillary Soiffarde
Origins	North America Central America South America
Hardiness (USDA)	12a
Leaf color
Flower colors