Neoregelia Sundance
Location
Bromeliad Garden
- Common names: Neoregelia or Bromeliad
- Scientific name: Neoregelia “Shelldance”
- Family: Bromeliaceae
- Origin: Genus originates from East Asia – Shelldance was cultivated in California as a variation of Neoregelia “Fairy Paint”
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Width: 18-24 inches
- Growth: Slow
- Zone: 9b-11
- Light needs: Partial shade – Full sun
- Salt tolerance: Moderate
- Soil/PH/Texture: Needs well-drained substrate, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.1 – 7)
- Moisture: Humidity tolerant, needs moderate watering to fill water cup
- Drought tolerance: Moderate
- Pests/Diseases: Leaf spots, rot when too wet, scale, mealy bugs. Water cup may draw mosquitoes.
- Growing conditions: Grows best in sunny or slightly shade areas outside or as a houseplant. It is epiphytic, so it does not need soil, just a surface to attach itself to. Best at temperatures of 50°F-90°F. Absorbs water through its “cup” in its center where the base of the leaves meets – this should be flushed out and refilled weekly to avoid rot and mosquitoes.
- Characteristics: Long, glossy, pointed leaves which are mostly lime green, with magenta around the center and along the leaf edges. Leaves often grow in a wavy pattern giving Shelldance a distinct look. Flowers are small, light purple, and bloom in the center cup. Roots do not absorb water but anchor the plant to surfaces.
- Propagation: By offsets (pups)
- Wildlife: Water cup attracts mosquitoes and other water-laying bugs and an occasional frog.
- Facts: Was first hybridized in California, but what plants it was hybridized from is a topic of discussion – some believe Shelldance is a cross between Neoregelia and Cryptanthus, but the main consensus is that it is a variation of Neoregelia “Fairy Paint”. Its color becomes more vibrant with the more sunlight it is exposed to.
- Designer considerations: Shelldance is epiphytic and does not need soil to survive, so it can add a burst of color to trees or other organic surfaces. It can also be placed in pots or terrariums.
