Bromelia scarlatina Plant Care

Bromelia scarlatina hort. ex Hérincq

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Bromelia scarlatina is a species of flowering plant in the family Bromeliaceae. It is native to Brazil and Ecuador.

🪴Houseplants🌺Bromeliads
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Bright indirect to filtered sunlight

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Bromelia scarlatina?

Water Bromelia scarlatina every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to filtered sunlight. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Bromelia scarlatina Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Bromelia scarlatina?

Bromelia scarlatina (Bromelia scarlatina) belongs to the Bromeliaceae family within the Bromelia genus. Bromelia scarlatina is native to Brazil and Ecuador.

Bromelia scarlatina displays a rosette-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Bromelia scarlatina produces colorful bracts with small flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Bromelia scarlatina?

Bromelia scarlatina requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Bromelia scarlatina Need?

Bromelia scarlatina thrives in bright indirect to filtered sunlight. Avoid placing Bromelia scarlatina in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect to filtered sunlight

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bromelia scarlatina Prefer?

Bromelia scarlatina grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Bromelia scarlatina prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bromelia scarlatina?

Well-draining epiphytic mix with bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Bromelia scarlatina to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Bromelia scarlatina?

Feed Bromelia scarlatina every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Bromelia scarlatina?

Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Bromelia scarlatina?

Bromelia scarlatina can be propagated through offsets (pups), seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dwarf pineapple plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Bromelia scarlatina Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Bromelia scarlatina, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bromelia scarlatina?

Bromelia scarlatina is susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bromelia scarlatina Need?

Bromelia scarlatina grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Bromelia scarlatina is native to Brazil and Ecuador. In cooler regions, grow Bromelia scarlatina as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Bromelia scarlatina is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Bromelia genus — compare its care with other Bromelia species on PlantoScan.

Bromelia is part of the Bromeliaceae plant family — browse all Bromeliaceae genera and species.

Bromelia scarlatina thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Bromelia Species

Other Bromelia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Bromelia scarlatina hort. ex Hérincq, family Bromeliaceae (first published in Hortic. Franc. (1869) 246.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bromelia scarlatina, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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