Vriesea splendens

Flaming Sword, Flaming Sword Bromeliad

Moderate careEpiphyteNon-toxic30–90 cm

Native to the tropical rainforests of Venezuela, Trinidad, and the Guianas, Vriesea splendens is a bromeliad best known for the flat, sword-like flower spike that shoots up from the rosette — brilliant scarlet bracts with small yellow flowers that can last for months. It collects water in the central cup formed by its rosette of leaves, a feature typical of tank bromeliads and key to its care indoors. The dark green leaves are crossed with horizontal bands of deep brown or purple, giving young plants ornamental value well before they ever bloom. In a terrarium, smaller or juvenile plants fit well in open setups with bright, indirect light and good air circulation.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Flaming Sword image

Care

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
15°C – 27°C

Soil

Orchid mix(preferred)Well drainingPeat moss

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 7

Appearance

Growth habit

Rosette

Leaf shape

Strap

Leaf texture

SmoothGlossy

Distribution

Propagation

Seeds lose viability quickly and must be used fresh. Sow on a shallow mix of peat and coarse sand in spring, keep moist at 21–24 °C. Germination is slow and erratic; not the preferred method for home growers.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Vriesea splendens

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:126211-1
  2. 2

    Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Lutheria splendens

    https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b572
  3. 3

    GBIF — Vriesea splendens

    https://www.gbif.org/species/5289043
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    NC State Extension — Lutheria splendens

    https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lutheria-splendens/
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    Greg App — Vriesea splendens Soil Guide

    https://greg.app/vriesea-splendens-soil/
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    Greg App — Vriesea splendens Temperature

    https://greg.app/vriesea-splendens-temperature/
  12. 12

    Monsteraholic — Vriesea splendens FAQ

    https://monsteraholic.com/vriesea-splendens/
  13. 13

    Oxford University Plants 400 — Vriesea splendens

    https://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants400/Profiles/uv/Vriesea
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    ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Blushing Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

    https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/blushing-bromeliad
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