The info I've found about these 2 plants (received in trade from people in warmer places) is confusing. Billbergia nutans, Chrysothemis pulchella. Any anecdotes or advice would be appreciated. I'm just a few miles N of the FL border in central AL.

(Billbergia nutans). I think it is only hardy in zone 10 & 11. You might grow it as a house plant though. Chrysothemis pulchella is 9-11, so looks like you have a couple of house plants. You could set them out in the summer if they are in pots but bring them in if it goes below 60°.
Hope this helps, good luck with your plants those are nice ones!

I garden in Savannah, Georgia zone 8a or 8b.
When I received some Billbergia nutans at our local swap they did not come with instructions. I planted them in the ground and they survived the winter with no problems. They were planted under some tall trees which created a slightly warmer micro-climate but that is all the protection they received. In the spring they grew, then bloomed and multiplied just fine.

After reading a bit about Billbergia nutans, now I bring one plant inside for the winder 'just in case'.

Good advice green, I think they are beautiful and I would like to try some also.

TY for the replies!

LOL! (literally) at the phrase "a couple of house plants." Thanks for that. I only bring in about 125 but by spring, they've always multiplied to more, so yeah a couple of house plants is a gross understatement to apply to me.

For the Billbergia, I'm leaning toward putting it near the house where there's good drainage and one Persian shield (also not hardy here but has been here for 5 years) stayed almost evergreen and bloomed last winter (the rest went dormant like usual) - and hope for the best. It's just so big, and prickly, but the pics of flowers make me want to try. "They" insisted I take it, so just a little farther south, it must be not only surviving but multiplying well... I did break off a small piece and stick it in a pot that will be coming in. That's a great anecdote, Greene, beginner luck is awesome, isn't it? And there's a lot to be said for local provenance. Wonder if my new plant thinks Opp AL is really far from Panama City area? *I* don't, but... I'm from OH until a few years ago.

I expected the Chry. to multiply but it doesn't look like it's made baby bulbs at all. The rain washed so much soil away earlier, I can see them at the surface. Maybe there's some underneath? That's easy to lift, and arrived as dormant bulbs in the mail in March, but I'd like to leave one in the ground, to see... that would probably be best in the future, assuming more time will provide more bulbs. I often see hummingbirds visiting every bloom on this, they love this plant. It would be great to have enough to share, wish me luck!

TY!

Good luck!!