Neoregelia Carcharodon
Alcantarea odorata
- Common name: Neoregelia Bromeliad; its many cultivars go by different names, such as “Neoregelia ‘Gummy’”
- Scientific name: Neoregelia Carcharodon
- Family: Bromeliaceae
- Origin: Brazil
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Width: 18-36 inches
- Growth: Slow
- Zone: 9b-11
- Light needs: Full sun – partial shade
- Salt tolerance: Moderate
- Soil/pH/texture: Needs very well-drained soil/substrate; mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (pH 6.1-7.8)
- Moisture: Humidity tolerant. Only needs to be watered about once a week to flush out its water cup.
- Drought tolerance: High
- Pests/Diseases: Mealybugs and scale; rot may occur if it is overwatered. Mosquitoes may be drawn to the water cup in its center.
- Growing conditions: It is epiphytic, so it does not need soil to survive. Neoregelia can grow on trees, in very well drained soil, or even on rocks. Great for humid or dry areas. Needs to be watered once a week to flush out and refill the water cup in its center.
- Characteristics: Leaf shape and color can vary widely among Neoregelia Carcharodon cultivars – they tend to be long and glossy, and colors can range from yellow green to deep magenta. Nearly all variants have sharp spines along the edges of the leaves, so it should be handled with caution. Flowers grow on a shaft from the center and tend to be pink or purple. Its leaves grow out from the center, forming a cup-like shape that the bromeliad uses to collect and absorb water. Roots are not used to absorb nutrients, only to anchor the plant to surfaces.
- Propagation: By offsets (pups)
- Wildlife: Attracts water-laying bugs and an occasional frog.
- Facts: Neoregelia Carcharodon has many cultivars, or varieties, each with different colors and characteristics. Variants include Neoregelia ‘Gummy’, Neoregelia ‘Tiger’, and Neoregelia ‘Rainbow’. These cultivars have a wide range of patterns – ‘Tiger’, for instance, has striking burgundy stripes along its leaves.
- Designer considerations: Because of Neoregelia’s high heat and drought tolerance, it is an excellent choice for xeriscaping. It can also be used as ground cover in sunny areas or as a vibrant and easily maintained houseplant.
Location
Bromeliad Island Garden
Neoregelia Carcharodon
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