Fascicularia bicolor
Fascicularia bicolor · Bromeliaceae
📷 hozdiamant · CC BY 2.0
The gardener's calendar
Fascicularia bicolor is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, green and bright red
- Flowering
- September to October, spectacular red flowers
- Adult size
- 60 cm in height
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Origin
- Chile (southern region)
- Hardiness
- Mild to temperate climate, frost-sensitive
- Growth
- Moderate
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Fascicularia bicolor grows slowly at first and needs strict drainage. Give it a bright location, sheltered from excess moisture.
The common mistake
Overwatering in winter rots the rosette at the base.
The pro's trick
In summer, space out watering before flowering to keep the rosette firm and healthy.
Care
Light
Place your Fascicularia bicolor in full sun to get the best colors. It tolerates lightly shaded locations, but the red tint of the leaves intensifies in the sun. A minimum of 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer) to keep the soil moist but well-drained. Stagnant water should be avoided at all costs. In winter, reduce watering. You can also moderately fill the central rosette of the plant.
Soil
Use a very well-draining substrate, ideally a bromeliad mix or light potting soil enriched with sand and organic matter. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Fertilizer
Apply diluted fertilizer every two months or so during the growing period (March to September). Light feeding is sufficient for this plant. Stop feeding in winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed. After flowering, you can clean away faded inflorescences. The plant doesn't require significant pruning; it has a naturally compact and elegant form.
Diseases and pests
Be vigilant against heart rot caused by excessive humidity. Regularly inspect for mealybugs or red spider mites, especially in dry environments. Good air circulation limits fungal problems.
Did you know?
The name "Fascicularia" comes from the Latin "fasciculus" (small bundle), referring to the bundled arrangement of its leaves. Native to the subtropical regions of southern Chile, this spectacular bromeliad is renowned for its color transformation: during flowering, the leaves at the center of the rosette turn intensely red, creating a natural gradient that is among the most dramatic, attracting hummingbirds in its native habitat.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Northern needleleafTillandsia balbisiana
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.