Guzmania bicolor Plant Care
Guzmania bicolor L.B.Sm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Guzmania bicolor is a plant species in the genus Guzmania. This species is native to Ecuador and Colombia and Peru.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Guzmania bicolor?
Water Guzmania bicolor every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Guzmania bicolor?
Guzmania bicolor (Guzmania bicolor) belongs to the Bromeliaceae family within the Guzmania genus. Guzmania bicolor is native to Ecuador and Colombia and Peru.
Guzmania bicolor displays a rosette-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Guzmania bicolor produces colorful bracts in red, orange, yellow, or pink with small white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Guzmania bicolor?
Guzmania bicolor requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Guzmania bicolor Need?
Guzmania bicolor thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Guzmania bicolor in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Guzmania bicolor Prefer?
Guzmania bicolor grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Guzmania bicolor 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 Guzmania bicolor?
Well-draining, acidic soil mix with high organic content like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Guzmania bicolor to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Guzmania bicolor?
Feed Guzmania bicolor 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 Guzmania bicolor?
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 Guzmania bicolor?
Guzmania bicolor can be propagated through offsets (pups) division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to scarlet star plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Guzmania bicolor Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Guzmania bicolor, 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 Guzmania bicolor?
Guzmania bicolor is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs. 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 Guzmania bicolor Need?
Guzmania bicolor grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Guzmania bicolor is native to Ecuador and Colombia and Peru. In cooler regions, grow Guzmania bicolor as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Guzmania bicolor 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 Guzmania genus — compare its care with other Guzmania species on PlantoScan.
Guzmania is part of the Bromeliaceae plant family — browse all Bromeliaceae genera and species.
Guzmania bicolor thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Guzmania Species
Other Guzmania species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Guzmania bicolor L.B.Sm., family Bromeliaceae (first published in Phytologia 13: 457 (1966)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Guzmania bicolor, 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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