{"title":"Bromeliads","description":"\u003cp\u003eBromeliads are rosettes that hold water in their centre and colour in their leaves, and they furnish a garden the way few other plants can. This range runs from Neoregelia Fireball, a 20cm plant that turns scarlet in bright light and spreads into a carpet, through the silver urn plant Aechmea fasciata, to the giant Alcantarea imperialis, a 2m architectural rosette for a feature position. Every plant is delivered Australia wide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to choose a bromeliad\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDecide what job the plant has to do. For a single dramatic specimen, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giant-bromeliad-alcantarea-imperialis\"\u003egiant bromeliad\u003c\/a\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAlcantarea imperialis\u003c\/em\u003e) forms a rosette up to 2m tall and 1.5m across with broad, arching, grey-green leaves, and the Rubra form flushes burgundy in sun. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bromeliad-plant-alcantarea-extensa\"\u003eAlcantarea extensa\u003c\/a\u003e is the smaller cousin at about 1.2m, easier to place in a courtyard. For flowers, the silver urn plant (\u003cem\u003eAechmea fasciata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Plum') carries a pink bract spike above banded silver leaves for months. For ground cover and pots, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fireball-bromeliad-neoregelia-fireball\"\u003eNeoregelia Fireball\u003c\/a\u003e stays around 20cm, colours deep red in bright light and multiplies by runners into a solid clump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere bromeliads work\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost bromeliads grow naturally on trees and rocks, so they want light, air and sharp drainage rather than rich soil. Filtered light or morning sun suits the alcantareas and aechmeas; the neoregelias colour best in bright light with a few hours of direct sun. They are happiest in the subtropics and tropics, in Brisbane, the northern rivers, Cairns and Darwin, where they grow outdoors in gardens, pots, on tree trunks and in the gaps of a rock wall. In Sydney and Perth they thrive in sheltered gardens. In Melbourne, Adelaide and frosty districts grow them in pots under a verandah or indoors in bright light, because frost damages the leaves. They are natural companions for the ferns, palms and gingers in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/palms-ferns-tropical\"\u003epalms, ferns and tropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and spacing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in an orchid mix or a very open potting mix, never garden soil in a pot, and never bury the base of the rosette. In the ground, plant into a mound of bark and coarse compost over well-drained soil. Space neoregelias 30cm apart for a carpet, aechmeas 50cm, and give a giant alcantarea 1.5m of clear space. Keep the central cup topped up with water, and flush it out every few weeks so it does not breed mosquitoes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare basics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater the cup and the mix lightly; the roots are mostly for anchorage. Feed sparingly, a quarter-strength liquid fertiliser in the cup or on the leaves once a month in the warm season, since heavy feeding dulls the leaf colour. Each rosette flowers once, then slowly dies over a year or two while producing pups at its base. Cut the pups away when they are about a third the size of the parent and pot them up. A giant alcantarea takes many years to flower, and the spike is worth the wait. Our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/diverse-bromeliad-varieties-discover-them-all\"\u003ebromeliad varieties\u003c\/a\u003e introduces the main groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo bromeliads need soil?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery little. They need a coarse, open mix for anchorage and drainage, and they take most of their water and nutrients through the central cup and the leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy has my bromeliad died after flowering?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is normal. The parent rosette flowers once and then declines, leaving pups around its base that grow into the next plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan bromeliads grow in full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeoregelia Fireball and Alcantarea imperialis Rubra colour best with several hours of direct sun. Aechmeas and plain green alcantareas prefer filtered light, and all of them burn in hot afternoon sun inland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I stop mosquitoes breeding in the cups?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlush the cups with a hose every week or two in summer, which also clears debris. A few drops of vegetable oil on the water in a cup also stops larvae.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"giant-silver-plum-bromeliad-aechmea-fasciata-silver-plum","title":"Giant Silver Plum Bromeliad - Aechmea fasciata 'Silver Plum'","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Silver Plum Bromeliad (\u003cem\u003eAechmea fasciata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Plum') is a large form of the urn plant, its broad silver banded leaves forming a rosette about 70cm tall and 80cm across. It throws a single pink bract studded with small blue flowers that stays colourful for months. It is also not toxic to cats or dogs, unusual in a plant with this much presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour that lasts a season.\u003c\/strong\u003e The pink bract holds for three to six months, so one plant carries a corner for most of the year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSilver foliage between flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The chalky crossbanding on each leaf is the real reason to buy it, and it never goes away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery little to do.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water goes into the central urn, not the mix, about once a fortnight. No pruning, no staking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot toxic to cats or dogs.\u003c\/strong\u003e It can sit at floor level in a home with pets, though the leaf margins carry fine spines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots, balconies and courtyards.\u003c\/strong\u003e The root system is small and mostly anchors the plant, so a 400mm pot is ample. A shaded courtyard or covered balcony in a warm climate suits it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set it in bright indirect light near a window. Few indoor plants hold flower colour this long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting in warm gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e In tropical, subtropical and frost free warm temperate gardens, plant 60cm apart under trees. As each rosette produces pups the group thickens on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Giant Silver Plum Bromeliad in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright filtered light. Direct sun bleaches the leaves and deep shade dulls the silver banding. It is frost tender, so outside the tropics, subtropics and frost free warm temperate pockets it belongs in a pot that winters inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A free draining orchid or bromeliad mix. Ordinary potting mix stays too wet around a root system this small, which is how most of these plants are lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the central urn topped up with fresh water and flush it out monthly so it does not stagnate or breed mosquitoes. Let the mix dry between waterings. A quarter strength liquid feed over the mix twice through the warm months is plenty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter flowering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each rosette flowers once, then declines slowly while producing two or three pups at its base. Cut the spent bract out, leave the pups until they reach a third of the parent's size, then pot them separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is grown in one size, a 400mm pot, a large established rosette rather than a young pup that needs years to reach flowering size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBromeliads travel well. The leaves are stiff and hold their own water, so transit damage is rare. Top up the urn on arrival, give it a fortnight in bright indirect light, then expect slow steady growth. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/diverse-bromeliad-varieties-discover-them-all\"\u003ebromeliad varieties\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003eplants safe for pets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare companions in the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-plants\"\u003eindoor plant range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around cats and dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is not toxic to cats or dogs. The one caution is physical: the leaf edges carry small spines, so keep it clear of crawling children and busy walkways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I water the pot or the plant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant. Fill the central urn and let the mix stay on the dry side. Flush the urn monthly with fresh water so it does not go stale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it flower again after the bract fades?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot that rosette. It flowers once, then puts its energy into pups at the base, and those pups flower in their own time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in the garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly where frost never reaches, in shade or filtered light, spaced 60cm apart. Anywhere colder it is a pot plant that spends winter indoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"400mm (Backorder)","offer_id":45543363871039,"sku":"QLD","price":474.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Giant-Silver-Plum-Bromeliad-Aechmea-fasciata-Silver-Plum.jpg?v=1741857672"},{"product_id":"giant-bromeliad-alcantarea-imperialis","title":"Giant Bromeliad - Alcantarea imperialis","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Bromeliad (\u003cem\u003eAlcantarea imperialis\u003c\/em\u003e) is what you plant when a garden needs one bold thing rather than ten small ones. The rosette builds to about 1.2m tall and 1.5m across, and a mature plant lifts a branched flower spike to around 3m. It holds that shape without pruning, staking or much water, which is why landscape designers keep using it around pools and entries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitecture without the upkeep.\u003c\/strong\u003e A symmetrical rosette 1.5m across keeps its form all year, and there is nothing to prune or stake.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely tough.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought tolerant, salt tolerant and comfortable in humidity, so it copes with coastal exposure and pool splash.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA flower spike worth waiting for.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mature plants throw a branched spike to about 3m in white and red, and birds work it while it is open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe around pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e One plant in gravel or low groundcover carries a whole courtyard. Allow 1.5m of clear space so the rosette reads as a shape rather than a gap filler.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside and coastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It sheds very little leaf litter and tolerates salt, so it suits pool surrounds and exposed coastal beds where softer plants burn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart for a bold repeated planting. Among boulders it looks at home and gets the sharp drainage it prefers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Giant Bromeliad in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun deepens the burgundy tones; part shade keeps the leaves greener and broader. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so cool inland and southern gardeners should pot it and move it under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drainage matters far more than fertility. A free draining mix, a raised bed or a gravel bed all work, while heavy wet clay will rot the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fill the central well of the rosette rather than soaking the soil, and tip it out and refill every few weeks in warm weather so it stays fresh. One light controlled release feed in spring is plenty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pull spent lower leaves off by hand. After flowering, that rosette declines and pups form at the base to replace it, so leave them attached until they reach a third of the parent's size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is grown in six sizes: 140mm in packs of ten, 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and single plants in 300mm, 330mm and 400mm. The pack sizes are young rosettes, good value for mass planting but a few years off real presence. A 400mm plant reads as a feature the day it lands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBromeliads travel better than most plants because the thick leaves hold their own moisture. Expect a settling period of a few weeks with little visible growth, then steady widening through the warm season. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead about the \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/diverse-bromeliad-varieties-discover-them-all\"\u003erange of bromeliad varieties\u003c\/a\u003e and how they differ.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-plants-for-designer-gardens\"\u003earchitectural plants for designer gardens\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003eplants for poolside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003epet safe plant range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long before it flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral years from a small pot, and flowering marks the end of that rosette. Pups at the base take over, so an established clump keeps going even as individual rosettes finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight frost only. In cool temperate gardens grow it in a pot against a warm north facing wall and shift it under eaves for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around cats and dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is not toxic to either. The leaf edges are firm, so keep it back from paths where small children run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":54140101886271,"sku":null,"price":232.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":51624833745215,"sku":"QLD","price":522.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250mm (Pack of 3)","offer_id":54140101919039,"sku":null,"price":392.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":54140101951807,"sku":null,"price":198.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"330mm","offer_id":44760583766335,"sku":"QLD","price":198.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm","offer_id":54140101984575,"sku":null,"price":313.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm","offer_id":55100271264063,"sku":null,"price":726.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"75L","offer_id":55100271231295,"sku":null,"price":676.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Giant-Bromeliad-Alcantarea-imperialis.jpg?v=1741857682"},{"product_id":"bromeliad-plant-alcantarea-extensa","title":"Bromeliad Plant - Alcantarea extensa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlcantarea extensa\u003c\/em\u003e is a giant bromeliad grown as living sculpture. The rosette opens to about 1.2m tall and 1.2m across, a symmetrical bowl of broad grey green leaves that holds its shape all year with almost no input from you. Mature plants send up a tall spike carrying red and yellow flowers well clear of the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitecture without maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rosette is naturally symmetrical, so you get a designed look with no pruning, staking or shaping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt stores its own water.\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaf bases hold a reservoir, which is why it is drought tolerant and forgives a missed fortnight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and poolside proof.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt tolerant and unbothered by heat and humidity, with no leaf drop into the water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs, which is unusual among bold feature plants of this size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e One plant carries a corner of a courtyard or a bed on its own. Set it where the rosette can be seen from above as well as from the side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and poolside.\u003c\/strong\u003e A pot 400mm or wider suits a single plant, and the clean leaves and lack of litter make it a genuinely low fuss choice beside paving and pool fencing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart for a bold massed bed. That spacing lets each rosette hold its full 1.2m spread without leaves overlapping and spoiling the form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Alcantarea in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade to filtered sun, with a few hours of morning sun bringing out the best leaf colour. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is frost tender, so anywhere that frosts it needs a pot that can move under cover, or a bright indoor position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining above all else: a coarse orchid or bromeliad mix, or garden soil opened up with bark and grit. Wet feet rot the base faster than any other mistake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water into the centre of the rosette and let the mix dry between drinks. Flush the cup out every few weeks in still weather so it does not stagnate. A weak liquid feed twice over spring and summer is plenty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e None. Pull off old outer leaves as they brown, and after the flower spike finishes, remove the spent rosette and let the pups around its base take over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes as a single plant in a 300mm pot, or as a 200mm pack of six for massed planting. Both arrive well short of the full 1.2m: this is a slow growing plant, and reaching mature size takes several years rather than a season. What you buy is a young rosette with the shape already forming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBromeliads travel better than most plants because the thick leaves carry their own moisture. Leave yours somewhere sheltered and bright for a week before planting out. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95 and our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/diverse-bromeliad-varieties-discover-them-all\"\u003eA guide to bromeliad varieties\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003eplants for poolside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck the wider list of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003eplants safe for pets\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFind companions in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-plants-for-designer-gardens\"\u003earchitectural plants for designer gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it die after flowering?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe individual rosette does, which is normal for this genus and takes many years to arrive. Before it goes it produces pups at the base, so the planting continues without you buying again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around cats and dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It is not toxic to cats or dogs, so it can sit at floor level indoors or in a garden where pets roam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much sun can it take?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart shade to filtered sun is ideal. Full afternoon sun in a hot inland garden will bleach and scorch the leaves, so give it overhead protection there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in a bright spot with indirect light, which is also the practical answer in frosty districts. Keep the potting mix free draining and water into the cup rather than soaking the mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140122497343,"sku":null,"price":609.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250mm (Pack of 3)","offer_id":55100335161663,"sku":null,"price":566.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":44846383169855,"sku":"QLD","price":214.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm","offer_id":55100335128895,"sku":null,"price":330.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Bromeliad-Plant-Alcantarea-extensa.jpg?v=1741858339"},{"product_id":"giant-bromeliad-alcantarea-imperialis-rubra","title":"Giant Bromeliad - Alcantarea imperialis 'Rubra'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Bromeliad (\u003cem\u003eAlcantarea imperialis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Rubra') is what you reach for when a bed needs one strong shape rather than ten small ones. It forms a thick leaved, symmetrical burgundy rosette about 1.5m tall and 1.5m across, and holds that colour all year. Mature plants eventually throw a branched spike to around 3m carrying cream and red bracts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour without a flowering season.\u003c\/strong\u003e The burgundy is in the leaf, so it looks the same in July as in January.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt stores its own water.\u003c\/strong\u003e The central cup and thick leaves carry a reserve, so it is genuinely drought tolerant once settled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for exposed positions.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt and heat tolerant, so a coastal bed or a hot poolside surround does not trouble it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery little maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e No pruning, no staking, no deadheading. Flush the cup occasionally and that is the routine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single rosette in gravel or against a rendered wall gives a sculptural focal point. Leave 1.5m of clear ground around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside.\u003c\/strong\u003e It sheds very little and takes splash and reflected heat off paving. Set it back about 1m from the coping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart, where the rosettes almost touch at maturity while each keeps its own outline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A wide, shallow pot suits the roots better than a deep one, and a pot is easy to move out of a cold snap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Giant Bromeliad in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light shade. Sun deepens the burgundy; shade keeps the leaves greener and opens the rosette wider. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and takes light frost only, so cold inland and hard frosting southern gardens need it in a container under an eave.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining and coarse. The roots are shallow and mostly anchoring, so a gritty mix or a sandy bed beats rich, heavy soil. On clay, plant on a raised mound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the central cup topped up in warm weather and let the soil dry between waterings. A weak liquid fertiliser two or three times over spring and summer is plenty; heavy feeding washes out the colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter flowering.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowering rosette declines over a year or more, but it makes offsets around the base first. Cut it out at ground level and let the pups take over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour sizes are grown: 200mm in packs of six and 250mm in packs of three for mass planting, then single 300mm and 400mm plants. The packs arrive as rosettes about dinner plate width and take three to four years to reach full size. A 400mm plant is a feature the day it goes in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBromeliads travel well because the leaves are stiff and hold moisture. Tip the cup out before planting and refill it once the plant is settled. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/diverse-bromeliad-varieties-discover-them-all\"\u003ebromeliad varieties and how they differ\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-tropical-climates\"\u003etropical garden plant range\u003c\/a\u003e for companions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003eplants suited to poolside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur picks for \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/your-ideal-tropical-poolside-plants-for-low-maintenance-bliss\"\u003elow maintenance tropical poolside planting\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long until it flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually eight to ten years from a young plant, so buy it for the rosette rather than the spike. The branched stem then lifts to around 3m.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill water in the cup breed mosquitoes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can in still, warm conditions. Flush the cup with the hose every week or two through summer and the problem does not arise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant them?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.5m apart. Any closer and the outer leaves collide and distort as the rosettes fill out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":55100405416255,"sku":null,"price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140137767231,"sku":null,"price":434.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250mm (Pack of 3)","offer_id":54140137734463,"sku":null,"price":539.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":49315992011071,"sku":"QLD","price":198.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"330mm","offer_id":55100405449023,"sku":null,"price":198.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm","offer_id":49315992043839,"sku":"QLD","price":313.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm","offer_id":55100405383487,"sku":null,"price":726.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Giant-Bromeliad-Alcantarea-imperialis-Rubra.jpg?v=1741858850"},{"product_id":"fireball-bromeliad-neoregelia-fireball","title":"Fireball Bromeliad - Neoregelia Fireball","description":"\u003cp\u003eFireball Bromeliad (\u003cem\u003eNeoregelia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Fireball') is grown for leaf colour rather than flowers, and it holds that colour all year. Each rosette is small, about 20cm tall and 30cm across, but the plant runs stolons in every direction and knits into a wide mat. In bright filtered light the foliage turns deep burgundy red, and it is not toxic to cats or dogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour that never waits for a season.\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves carry the display, olive green in shade and burgundy in brighter light, so there is no flowering window to miss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt fills the gaps itself.\u003c\/strong\u003e Stolons push new rosettes out around the parent, so a group set at 30cm closes into continuous cover without dividing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery little water.\u003c\/strong\u003e The central cup holds a reserve and the leaves are thick, so it rides out dry spells that flatten softer groundcovers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe around pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not toxic to cats or dogs, which counts for a plant sitting at nose height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover and mass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart for a dense mat. Ten plants cover roughly a square metre at that spacing, and the colony fills in over two to three seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and retaining walls.\u003c\/strong\u003e The roots are shallow and undemanding, so it lives happily in a gritty pocket between rocks or along a wall top where soil depth runs out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots, borders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e A shallow bowl suits it better than a deep pot, and along a shaded path it gives a low band of red that never needs clipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Fireball Bromeliad in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun brings out the burgundy tones. Deep shade keeps it green and open, harsh afternoon sun bleaches it. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp drainage is the one requirement. Use a coarse mix opened up with bark or perlite, and plant shallowly so the base of the rosette sits above the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep a little water in the central cup and flush it out monthly. Feed lightly if at all: half strength liquid fertiliser twice over spring and summer is plenty, and rich feeding dulls the red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrost and pruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is frost tender, so cool southern and inland gardeners should pot it and move it under cover for winter. Each rosette lives a few years and pups replace it, so simply cut spent rosettes out at the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one is sold in 125mm pots, in packs of ten. Each holds an established rosette with roots already working, so it can go straight into the ground. Ten plants suit a square metre of bed, or five generous pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBromeliads travel well because the leaves hold their own moisture, though a little leaf marking after transit is normal. Expect new pups within a season in warm weather. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/diverse-bromeliad-varieties-discover-them-all\"\u003eA guide to bromeliad varieties and how they differ\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003etropical plant range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003egroundcover options\u003c\/a\u003e for shaded beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003eplants that are safe around pets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many do I need for a square metre?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTen plants at 30cm spacing gives full cover. Stretching to 40cm saves on numbers, but the mat takes an extra season to close and weeds get a foothold in the meantime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy has mine turned green?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot enough light. Move it somewhere brighter, ideally filtered light or early morning sun, and the burgundy returns over a few months. Heavy feeding has the same greening effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for cats and dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, neoregelias are not toxic to either. The leaf edges do carry fine teeth, so plant it where nobody brushes past bare legged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in a bright spot near a window. It stays greener inside than it would outdoors, and the mix must dry between waterings or the base rots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":55100425797951,"sku":null,"price":450.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Fireball-Bromeliad-Neoregelia-Fireball.jpg?v=1768455842"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/collections\/Giant-Bromeliad-Alcantarea-imperialis.jpg?v=1791098137","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/collections\/bromeliads.oembed","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}