Billbergia - environment, care works, propagation

Billbergia is a genus of epiphyte in the Bromeliaceae family, consisting of about 60 species of plants. They are native to South America, in Brazil being found most specimens of this genus. They are well-liked as indoor plants due to their special flowers. It has a longevity of up to 5 years.

Species and varieties

Billbergia nutans, popularly known as “Queen’s tears”, is one of the most common species. It has green leaves with silver reflections and is arranged in the shape of a rosette, which gives the plant the aspect of a vase. It can reach a height of up to 60 cm and a width of 30 cm. The inflorescences are pendants and are made of different shades of pink bracts, and small tubular flowers, which can be blue or purple. Sometimes the flowers can secrete specific nectar.

Billbergia pyramidalis is a species that can be grown outdoors due to its resistance to low temperatures. The inflorescence is large, round, with red, pink, or purple flowers. Sunlight can influence the color of the leaves.

Billbergia saundersii has dark-green leaves with white spots. It blooms when it benefits from the abundant sunlight, and the inflorescence is pendant, made up of pink bracts and white or blue flowers.

Billbergia zebrina differs from other species by the silver lines that are arranged horizontally on the leaves. It produces large, pendulous inflorescences with pink bracts and flowers with twisted, green petals.

Environmental conditions

Light. It prefers bright or partially shaded places but may be affected by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. It can be placed both outdoors and indoors, in pots that allow water drainage.

Temperature. The optimum temperature is about 23° C, and the plant can withstand a minimum temperature of 10° C. Exposure to high temperatures and strong light can cause the leaves to discolor, but they can recover if moved to a partially shaded place with moderate temperatures. Also, like all bromeliads, it grows excellently in well-ventilated places.

Humidity. The optimum atmospheric humidity must be between 60-70%. It is recommended to spray the plant daily with non-calcareous water.

Substrate. The substrate can be made of peat, leaf compost, and sand and must have a very good drainage capacity.

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Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Watering

It should be done moderately, every 8-12 days, depending on the room temperature. Normally, it should be watered when the substrate is dry on the surface. Avoid excessive moisture in the substrate and stagnation of water in the tray in order to prevent diseases. During the winter months, it should be watered less.

Fertilization

Weekly fertilization is recommended, from April to September. Be careful with the dose administered, because too much fertilizer can affect the color of the leaves. Also, fertilizers that are very rich in nitrogen encourage abundant vegetative growth of the plant and, as a result, it will no longer produce flowers. During the winter months, it is recommended to stop fertilizing in order to favor the entry of the plant in a semi-dormancy period.