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Neoregelia ‘Royal Burgundy’

COMMON NAMES

Royal Burgundy Neoregelia

Neoregelia (nee-oh-re-GEL-ee-uh) – for Edward von Regel (1815-1892), German botanist

‘Royal Burgundy’ – cultivar/hybrid name; background is a little unclear; some say it is a cultivar of Oeser’s Chlorosticta

GROUP 

Monocot

FAMILY 

Bromeliaceae

ORIGIN

Probably Florida, USA, but not completely certain

DESCRIPTION

Royal Burgundy Neoregelia is an herbaceous perennial that averages 8 to 12 inches in height with a 14 to 20 inch spread. It is low-growing and clumping with a tight rosette. It often has offsets at the base from stolons. It has a moderate growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, strap-shaped with a pointed tip, leathery, glossy, an average of 6 to 7 inches long and 1 ½ to 2 inches wide, basal rosette in arrangement, and stemless. Color is burgundy with green spots (sometimes more dark green will show depending on the light). When ready to bloom the center leaves will have a lot of red. The entire margins have small, sharp spines along the edges and it has parallel veins. It has a central tube-shaped cup.

Flowers are small and white to lavender in color. They will appear just above the water line in the central cup.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12. It is marginal in zone 9 with some protection.

LIGHT

Part shade – brighter light brings more vibrant colors; bright filtered light indoors

SALT

Poor Salt Spray Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a coastal area as it has minimal tolerance. It would require multiple layers of protection such as in a greenhouse, indoors, or in a small enclosed area such as a courtyard beyond the dunes.

SOIL

It will grow on most any well-drained soil or epiphyte mix that is moist and organic in nature.

WATERING

It prefers consistently moist soil. It likes to have water in the vase rosette, especially in the summer.

PROPAGATION

Separation of offsets at the base of the plant; tissue culture

PRUNING

Basically just removal of dead leaves to keep it tidy

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work. In general, Bromeliads are not heavy feeders.

PESTS

Mealybugs; Mexican Bromeliad Weevil; Boisduval Scale, Slugs

DISEASES

Bacterial Leaf Blight, Root Rots on overly wet soils

DEER

Seldom bothered

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

It can be grown in the ground, in containers, or mounted on a tree.

USES

Containers, interiorscapes, shade gardens, epiphytic sites, mass planting, specimen plant, tropical effect

TOXICITY

A search of ASPCA, Texas A&M University, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, University of Wisconsin, Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals - Merck Vet Manual, Purdue University - Guide to Toxic Plants in Forages, Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern United States - Alabama Cooperative Extension, Florida Poison Control, University of California, and The Cat Fanciers Association did not show this specific plant on any of their lists.

California Poison Control lists Neoregelia spp. as non-toxic.

University of California lists Neoregelia spp. as safe.

ASPCA lists Neoregelia spp. as non-toxic to dogs and cats.