“Virtues:Earth stars, a type of bromeliad, are wonderfully easy houseplants that ask very little of you. With their gorgeous range of colors, compact habit and slow growth, I've found they're the…”
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
Virtues:Earth stars, a type of bromeliad, are wonderfully easy houseplants that ask very little of you. With their gorgeous range of colors, compact habit and slow growth, I've found they're the perfect botanical element to add to any interior. Their color and shape make them really fun to mix into December's holiday decor and centerpieces, too.
Common name:Earth star bromeliad
Botanical name:Cryptanthusbivittatusand cultivars
Exposure:Bright but indirect light
Season:All year, for foliage
Foliage:The earth star gets its common name from its overall shape — it grows as a rosette of stiff, pointed, overlapping leaves. They can range in color from reds and pinks to various shades of green, with or without white or colorful stripes. It's honestly one of the most striking foliage plants you'll find.
Habit:Exact size can vary by species, but earth stars typically grow three to six inches tall and wide. While many bromeliads don't have much of a root system, this type develops strong roots that work just like those of most familiar garden or indoor plants — which makes caring for them feel a lot more intuitive.
Origins:Cryptanthusspecies come from the rain forests of Brazil, where they live on the forest floor — so think dappled light and humidity and you'll understand what they need.
How to grow earth star bromeliads:Pot these just like you would most other tropical houseplants, using a fertile, moisture-retentive potting mix. Bromeliads love humidity — an easy way I've found to increase humidity around houseplants is simply to cluster a bunch together.
Place an earth star where it will receive bright light but not direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Just remember — in nature, it grows on the rain forest floor, so it's used to filtered light.
These plants really can't handle cold temperatures. They're used as houseplants in many regions, but you can grow them year-round in the garden in frost-free areas. Where winters are cold, I keep mine inside and then move them to a shaded spot in the garden for summer — it's an easy routine that works beautifully.
Image credit:smtng else/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
