Variegated Guzmania Plant Care
Guzmania variegata L.B.Sm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Guzmania variegata is a plant species in the genus Guzmania. This species is native to Ecuador and Peru.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Variegated Guzmania?
Water Variegated Guzmania 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 Variegated Guzmania?
Variegated Guzmania (Guzmania variegata) belongs to the Bromeliaceae family within the Guzmania genus. Variegated Guzmania is native to Ecuador and Peru.
Variegated Guzmania displays a rosette-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Variegated Guzmania produces colorful bracts in red, orange, yellow, or pink with small white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Variegated Guzmania?
Guzmania variegata 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 Variegated Guzmania Need?
Variegated Guzmania thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Variegated Guzmania in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Variegated Guzmania Prefer?
Guzmania variegata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Variegated Guzmania 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 Variegated Guzmania?
Well-draining, acidic soil mix with high organic content like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Variegated Guzmania to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Variegated Guzmania?
Feed Variegated Guzmania 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 Variegated Guzmania?
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 Variegated Guzmania?
Variegated Guzmania can be propagated through offsets (pups) division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to scarlet star plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Variegated Guzmania Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Variegated Guzmania, 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 Variegated Guzmania?
Variegated Guzmania 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 Variegated Guzmania Need?
Variegated Guzmania grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Variegated Guzmania is native to Ecuador and Peru. In cooler regions, grow Variegated Guzmania as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Variegated Guzmania 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.
Variegated Guzmania 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 variegata L.B.Sm., family Bromeliaceae (first published in Phytologia 7: 108 (1960)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Variegated Guzmania, 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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