General Plant Information (Edit)
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 6 to 8 inches
Plant Spread: 6 to 12 inches
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Foliage turns deep red to reddish-bronze when grown in high light.
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: White
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Suitable Locations: Houseplant
Terrariums
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Offsets
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Cryptanthus
  • Earth Star
  • Bromeliad

Photo Gallery
Location: Arenas Valley, NM My Greenhouse
Date: 2017-11-11
Location: Arenas Valley, NM My Greenhouse
Date: 2018-04-27
Location: Arenas Valley, NM My Greenhouse
Date: 2018-12-05
Location: shadehouse
Date: 2017-05-19
blooms popping in the shadehouse
  • Uploaded by pod
Location: shade house
Date: 2017-05-19
  • Uploaded by pod
Location: shadehouse
Date: 2017-05-19
  • Uploaded by pod
Location: BG Meise (Belgium)
Date: 2015-09-25

Date: 2012-08-05
This shows how a C. cascade develops new plantlets similar to a s
  • Uploaded by pod

Date: 08-05-2012
  • Uploaded by pod
Comments:
  • Posted by plantmanager (New Mexico - Zone 8a) on Feb 17, 2018 10:16 AM concerning plant:
    Feb 17, 2018 8:55 AM MST
    This is the first Cryptanthus that has grown well for me. Others have been very slow to grow, or die quickly. This one has grown quickly and put out many pups. It seems to like high humidity and warmer temperatures. It is crowded in with other tropical plants, and seems to love being in that situation. Mine is in a greenhouse. I think if I grew it in the house, it would be a great candidate for a terrarium plant for a larger terrarium.
Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Interesting plant by gardengus Aug 13, 2012 1:29 PM 3

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