Guzmania musaica, a flowering plant with zebra foliage

In nature's lottery, Guzmania musaica has hit the jackpot. This plant, native to Costa Rica and Venezuela, has inherited decorative foliage and spectacular flowering.

How to recognize Guzmania musaica?

Guzmania musaica is an epiphytic plant with a bushy habit. Shovel-headed, it grows to no more than 50 centimetres in height.

The leaves grow in a rosette, forming a central reservoir. While the foliage of Guzmania conifera is plain, that of Guzmania musaica is zebra-striped. The light-green blades are crossed by darker lines. Depending on the variety, the stripes may be dark green or brown on the upper side and purple on the reverse.

Although its foliage is highly decorative, Guzmania musaica is best cultivated for its flowering. This takes the form of red and yellow bracts, bristling with waxy yellow flowers. The inflorescence, borne on a 40-centimeter flowering spike, blooms at the heart of the rosette. As with other Bromeliaceae, flowering occurs only once. The plant dies when it is finished.

Guzmania musaica is non-toxic. You can add it to your collection even if you live with pets and young children.

Our maintenance tips

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

Watering

Allow potting soil to dry on the surface (at least 3 cm). Water the substrate with rainwater. It should be damp but not soggy.

In summer, when the temperature is above 20°C, pour a few drops of water into the reservoir at the heart of the rosette. Empty it and replace the water every week to keep it clean.

Don't forget to remove any stagnant water from the cup or pot cover.

Spray

Spray the top and bottom of the foliage with non-calcareous water, ideally rainwater. As well as improving hygrometry, this misting combats mite attacks.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

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 musaica.

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 musaica.

Wait until the shoots are at least a third of the size of the main plant before removing them. Separate them with your hands or a clean, sharp instrument (pruning shears or scissors). Be sure to keep some roots for each cutting.

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

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Bromeliads - Bromeliaceae
Type	Guzmania - Guzmania
Species	Guzmania musaica - Guzmania musaica
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Flowery
Tags	Flowery Fritillary Soiffarde
Origins	Central America South America
Hardiness (USDA)	10b
Leaf color
Flower colors