Red Flat Bromeliad

Red Flat Bromeliad (Guzmania lingulata 'Red Flat') is an easy care plant from Central America that forms a rosette of broad, strappy green leaves about 30cm tall and 50cm wide. Once mature, the centre of the rosette turns a bold, bright red that can last for around four months. It suits shaded subtropical gardens, pots and bright rooms indoors.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that lasts. The red centre of a mature rosette holds for around four months, far longer than most flowers.
• Easy care. It asks for shade, warmth and a full central cup, and not much else.
• Indoors or out. It grows well in pots indoors and in shaded garden spots outdoors, so it moves with the seasons.
• At home in shade. It colours up where sun-loving plants sulk, and the red may be deeper in shade.
• Pups carry on the display. After flowering, young plants (pups) grow at the base and take the original plant's place.

Where it works best

Under trees and in shaded borders. In a shaded subtropical garden, plant 50cm apart so the rosettes just touch. They also suit the crook of a tree, as they grow on branches in the wild.

Pots and containers. Use a free-draining mix and keep the crown above the soil. A group of three in one wide pot makes an instant feature.

Indoors. Give it a bright room with filtered light and no harsh sun through glass.

Growing Red Flat Bromeliad in Australia

Position and climate. Shade or filtered light. Protect it from harsh sun, which marks the leaves. Bromeliads love warm, humid conditions, so it thrives outdoors in tropical and subtropical gardens. Further south, grow it in a pot indoors or under cover, because frost is a risk.

Soil. Free-draining soil or potting mix, with the crown kept above the soil surface.

Water and feed. Water by filling the cup in the centre of the plant, and tip out and refill it with fresh water each week so it never stagnates or breeds mosquitoes. Fertilise in spring with an organic liquid feed mixed at half rate.

Pruning. None is needed. After flowering the original plant slowly dies back while pups develop at its base. Let the pups take over, and remove the old rosette once it has faded.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Red Flat Bromeliad as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube plants arrive green. The red develops as the plant grows and matures, so buy it for what it will become rather than for how it looks in the tube.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our bromeliads
• Bromeliad varieties: a guide to the main types
• Plants for full shade
• More indoor plants

Common questions

Why is my bromeliad still green?

Tube plants start green. The red develops as the plant grows and matures, and shade can deepen it. Once it shows, the colour holds for around four months.

Can I grow it outdoors in a cool climate?

Not through winter. It loves warm, humid conditions and frost can kill it, so in cool southern gardens keep it in a pot indoors or under cover.

Is it safe for pets?

Guzmania is not considered toxic to cats and dogs. As with any plant, chewing may upset a stomach, so keep it out of reach of pets that nibble.