Vriesea splendens can be terrestial or epiphytic and is native to forested and rocky areas from Venezuela to French Guiana.
It has broad, smooth margined, strap-like leaves that grow in a rosette formation creating a central funnel or well. The leaves are a blue/grey green in colour with dramatic cross-banding of dark green, purple or brownish red.
As with most bromeliads the central well created by the leaf rosette forms a reservoir to collect and store water. Most of the water used by the plant is taken up via the leaves from water in the central leaf well.
During summer the plant produces a short 45cm spike with a flattened lance shape flower consisting of bright red bracts and tubular shaped yellow flowers.
These wonderful plants make an attractive addition to any tropical garden where they will grow well under trees or other partially shaded areas. They can be grown inside on a piece of bark or in orchid or epiphytic bromeliad potting mix. Inside they add tropical colour during the cooler months.