Little rosettes form on six inch stolons, spreading out horizontally, eventually forming a large cluster. Depending upon light and fertilizer levels, the plants will be reddish-green to bright red. Less fertilizer and more light brings out maximum color.

This miniature species has never been properly classified but remains an extremely popular plant. Outstanding in hanging baskets, in landscape and in terrariums.

Our terrarium bromeliad offset collections are chosen from small and miniature plants with a preponderance of Neoregelia species and hybrids.  We may include plants from other genera, but all are of a smaller size that will work in most terrariums.  Other criteria considered are suitability to average terrarium light and humidity, smaller spines to protect fragile animals and water holding capability and leaf axils suitable to accommodate frogs, at least in some selections.

We do not include Cryptanthus, atmospheric Tillandsias, or any terrestrial bromeliads.  A good assortment is given, but there will be duplication.

Depending on the number of plants ordered, we will include from one to five of each variety and on some larger orders, up to ten of a variety.  At least one of each variety will be labeled, and bundled with others of the same type.  We can offer some choice as to overall size, etc., but, no choices can be given regarding variety.  An exception can be made, only if a certain variety is not acceptable to you, then you can request that we do not include them.

All plants will be well grown, healthy and free of pesticides.  However, since we are regulated by the state, some pesticides are occasionally used.  We do not ship freshly treated plants in terrarium orders, but we would rather see you take the precaution of rinsing your plants with clean water prior to installing them in the terrarium environment.

Jim Irvin has a knack with Cryptanthus, (as well as other bromeliads!), and has produced numerous first-class hybrids.  This is one of which he can be proud.  This hybrid, a cultivar of ‘Sweet Tooth’ x ‘Ice Age,’ and a grex mate to ‘Very Cold Tooth,’ is a dark brown, almost black plant with closely spaced cross banding of silver trichomes with dense silver white scurf underneath.  The inch-wide leaves are long and graceful, undulating at the margins in a symmetrical rosette.

Billbergia ‘Hallelujah’ (amoena ‘Domingos Martins’ x ‘Ed McWilliams’). A tall, tubular plant with a beautiful pattern of bright red, mottled with cream, green and pink. One of Don Beadle’s most famous crosses.

Leaves that are blacker than black (for a plant). A graceful rosette that starts out upright then as the inch wide leaves lengthen, arch over, forming a wide rosette. The inflorescence is a handsome pendant spike of red berries and blue flowers.

A giant grower from hybridizer David Fell in Hawaii. This plant is registered as an xVriecantarea but David lists it’s parents as (‘Volcano’s Mist’ x ‘Volcano’s Mist’) and ‘Volcano’s Mist’ is an Alcantarea. So, we are confused, where does the Vriesea come in? We are keeping the xVrecantarea name though as that is how the plant was registered with the BSI Cultivar Registrar. 

It looks like a nice clone of Alcantarea imperialis with a leafy rosette of broad leaves, red with a veneer of silver in older plants. Highly decorative, it is popular with landscapers.