Neoregelia schultesiana

Grown for its wonderfully varied foliage, Neoregelia schultesiana makes a great houseplant.

Named after the botanist Edward von Regel, who was superintendent of the botanical gardens in Saint Petersburg.

Originally classified as Aregelia, Karatus, and Regelia, they were reclassified as Neoregelia in 1890.

Most of the more than 100 known varieties grow wild in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

Neoregelias are compact plants under cultivation whose structure is similar to many tank bromeliads.

Their leaves are arranged in a circular pattern around the central cluster, forming a 'tank' or reservoir that serves to collect water and debris to sustain the plant.

When grown indoors, the water in this tank should be changed at regular intervals to prevent it from becoming stagnant.

They prefer bright light conditions; however, direct sunlight can burn and bleach the leaves, so diffused or indirect light is best.

Plants with hard, solid green leaves will tolerate more sun than those with paler, colored, or variegated leaves.

Similar to Tillandsia, Neoregelias will tolerate a variety of temperatures, but will not survive below 10 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures above 30 degrees will lead to poor leaf coloration.