Obviously a very confusing species. Little resembling the ‘true’ species plant, this one from the Selby collection has glossy lime-green leaves mottled and barred with reddish-chestnut, stronger below and lighter above. 6 inch rosettes form clusters on short stolons.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

This cultivar has been around for many years, but is still not common in collections. A real little beauty, 6 inches tall or so, with an upright, almost tubular shape and slightly bulbous base. The leaves are green, tipped in red, and heavily mottled with white towards the center of the cup. Flowers are white.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A small growing hybrid by Odean. Narrow leaves in an upright, funnel form rosette, with  green base color, red tips and a red veneer of blotching and banding. Slight red color in the center of the plant at anthesis.

An interesting stoloniferous plant with stiff greenish-coppery leaves in an open rosette. The center cup flushes orange when in bloom and the stoloniferous habit makes an interesting cluster.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A small growing hybrid by Michael Kiehl. Burgundy red with green spots and blotches. Matures at 7 inches tall. Offsets are produced on long stolons. Looks best in a hanging pot or mounted.

An upright grower with stiff, 10 inch leaves forms vase-shaped rosettes on short stolons. The leaves are green, with a dark veneer on the upper sides, light banding on the undersides, and dark bases.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

Similar species to compacta, but larger and (we think) nicer. A large grower with light green, slightly mottled, spineless leaves which flush deep red with white speckles in the center when blooming. Pups are stoloniferous and upright.

(Blooming photo courtesy of Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies)

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A small upright, stoloniferous species who’s chief value is as a botanical because it lacks many decorative qualities. However, I and many others feel that a species plant doesn't have to be beautiful to be appreciated, and that little plants like this have their own charm. Makes a decorative cluster, good for hanging pot culture.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A handsome species that should be more widely grown, has an open rosette shape about 12 inches across, coppery green with heavy markings of dark brown to almost black and dark leaf tips. Fragrant flowers.

*VIPP plants are offsets - NOT the mature plant in the photo

A stoloniferous, funnelform rosette to 6 inches, with red tips, reddish-bronze color and abundant red speckling. Nice for mounting, growing in a hanging pot or terrarium.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A small sized, colorful, stoloniferous hybrid, with green leaves that tint yellow with red tips, in strong light. The center blushes cherry red when in bloom and the plants form attractive clusters.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A stoloniferous, small grower with glossy, yellowish-green leaves in a funnelform rosette. Light speckling is evident above with dark purplish banding below.

*VIPP plants are Offsets