Guzmania sanguinea, a flowering plant with magical foliage

Guzmania sanguinea grows in humid areas of Central America. Although its foliage is not as decorative as that of Guzmania musaica, the leaves possess a superpower: they are able to change color.

How to recognize Guzmania sanguinea?

Guzmania sanguinea is an epiphytic plant with a bushy habit. It rarely exceeds 20 centimetres in all directions.

The plant has no visible stem. Its leaves grow in a flat rosette, forming a reservoir in the center.

The lanceolate blades can measure up to 35 centimetres long and six centimetres wide. They are criss-crossed with raised longitudinal lines. Leaves are usually green with a brown base. However, during the flowering season, the foliage changes color. The smaller, central leaf blades turn bright red or orange-yellow.

The inflorescence appears at the heart of the rosette. It's a short cluster of yellow or orange tubular flowers. Like other Bromeliaceae, Guzmania sanguinea is a monocarpic plant. It blooms only once and dies after flowering. But before it does, it produces shoots to multiply.

Guzmania sanguinea is non-toxic. Some even claim it has medicinal properties. You can handle it without fear and leave it within reach of your dog or cat.

Our maintenance tips

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

Watering

Guzmania sanguinea 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

Spray foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature. Fogging helps improve humidity, clean leaves and control pests.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Guzmania sanguinea, 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 sanguinea.

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 sanguinea.

Guzmania sanguinea 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 sanguinea in the center. Press down and water.

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Bromeliads - Bromeliaceae
Type	Guzmania - Guzmania
Species	Guzmania sanguinea - Guzmania sanguinea
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)	12a
Leaf color
Flower colors