Lutheria splendens

Common Names

Flaming Sword, Flaming Sword Bromeliad, Flaming Swords

Summary

Flaming Sword bromeliad is an evergreen, epiphytic bromeliad native to wet tropical forests from eastern Colombia to Trinidad and Tobago, growing at bases of trees or along branches in arching, clumping rosettes; leaves are grayish-green to purplish with dark green or reddish-brown crossbands and form a central water cup, reaching about 2–3 ft tall and 1.5–2 ft wide, with a tall inflorescence of scarlet red bracts and tubular yellow flowers up to 45 cm tall, and it is monocarpic, flowering once before dying while offsets continue.

Cultivation and uses: bright indirect light or partial shade in warm, humid conditions; temperatures 18–25°C with high humidity; well-draining epiphytic mix; water in the central cup, keeping it partially full, and substrate kept moist but not waterlogged; propagation mainly by offsets, with offsets maturing and blooming in 3–5 years; commonly grown as a container plant, terrarium, or mounted epiphyte on bark or slabs; pests such as scale and mealybugs may occur.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-3 ft

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10a-12b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade. Tolerates full shade.

Soil Type

Epiphytic; no soil.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5–6 (optimum), Acidic

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Summer to Early Fall

Foliage Color

Grayish-green to purplish leaves with dark green or reddish-brown bands

Fall Foliage Color

Red to orange to yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Division (offsets/pups), Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts hummingbirds, Attracts birds