Fireball Bromeliad

Fireball Bromeliad (Neoregelia '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.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that never waits for a season. The leaves carry the display, olive green in shade and burgundy in brighter light, so there is no flowering window to miss.
• It fills the gaps itself. Stolons push new rosettes out around the parent, so a group set at 30cm closes into continuous cover without dividing.
• Very little water. The central cup holds a reserve and the leaves are thick, so it rides out dry spells that flatten softer groundcovers.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs, which counts for a plant sitting at nose height.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. 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.

Rockeries and retaining walls. 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.

Pots, borders and edging. 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.

Growing Fireball Bromeliad in Australia

Position and climate. 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.

Soil. 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.

Water and feed. 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.

Frost and pruning. 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.

What to expect when it arrives

This 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.

Bromeliads 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 a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• A guide to bromeliad varieties and how they differ
• Browse the wider tropical plant range.
• Compare other groundcover options for shaded beds.
• See more plants that are safe around pets.

Common questions

How many do I need for a square metre?

Ten 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.

Why has mine turned green?

Not 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.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes, neoregelias are not toxic to either. The leaf edges do carry fine teeth, so plant it where nobody brushes past bare legged.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes, 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.