Billbergia

billbergia

( bil - BUR - jee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

A relative of the Bromeliads, Billbergia is a genus of plants that includes evergreen, epiphytic species of tropicals. Water collects in leaf funnels, similar to Bromeliads. Flowers are brilliantly colored, appearing for a few hours before fading, typically hanging downwards. These plants produce fruits that are brightly colored, as well. Grow Billbergia in tropical or subtropical zones as an epiphytic plant, or keep as a greenhouse specimen in cooler zones.

Billbergia Species and Varietals

The genus Billbergia is a member of the plant family Bromeliaceae and includes around 60 species. Species are generally best outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Billbergia alfonsi-joannis (Bromelia-Poco-de-Jaco)
This species is commonly grown as a houseplant or greenhouse specimen, and has many cultivars, including 'Alligator', 'Arctic Queen', 'Desiree', 'Gold Dust', 'Jingle Bells', 'Manta Ray', 'Pink Floriate', 'Satin Lady', 'Satin Magic', 'Satin Queen', 'Snowflake', and 'Swordfish'. Individual plants typically reach up to 18-24 inches tall when mature. Best in USDA zones 10-11.

Billbergia amoena (Vase Plant, Queen's Tears, Friendship Plant)
Although this species is native to Brazil, it is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental houseplant. To between 12 and 14 inches tall and 8 to 20 inches wide at maturity when in bloom. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Billbergia brasiliensis (Billbergia kuhlmannii) (Brazilian Bromeliad, Brazilian Queen's Tears, Pineapple Bromeliad)
This species is native to Brazil and Bolivia, and includes cultivars such as 'Desert Ripple', 'Happy Days', 'Hazy Purple', 'Silversmith', 'Silverson', 'Titan', 'Venesii', and Billbergia brasiliensis x Bilmea 'Dolly'. Individual plants reach up to 24 inches tall, and feature tubular, grey-green foliage that forms a rosette. Leaves have silver banding. Brazilian Bromeliads grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9-12.

Billbergia decora (Helicodea baraquiana)
Native to an area that spans across regions in Brazil and Bolivia, this species includes many cultivars: 'Bruantii', 'Leopoldii', 'Showboat', 'Sunset', 'Theodore L. Mead', and Billbergia decora x Bilmea 'Casper'. These plants perform well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b and reach up to 16 inches tall and half as wide at maturity. Forms spreading clumps over time.

Billbergia distachya (Brazilian Bromeliad)
This species is endemic to Brazil and has many cultivars to choose from, including: 'Albertii', 'Conquistador', 'Crimson Candle', 'Fat Albert', 'Fat Albert's Brother', 'Grey Mist', 'Misty Steel', 'Pink Piglet', 'Purple Haze', 'Red Spot', 'Smokey Rose', 'Smokey Tricolor', 'Stimpy', 'White Spot'. Individual plants reach up to 12-35 inches tall and 24 inches wide at maturity. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 8b through 11.

Billbergia formosa
This species is now rarely seen in its native range due to poaching and habitat destruction, and is native to Peru. It is grown as a houseplant, and commonly cultivated varieties include 'Caroliniana' and 'Wallonia'.

Billbergia leptopoda (Permanent Wave Plant, Spotted-Leaf Vase Plant)
Endemic to Brazil, this species has many cultivars commonly cultivated as houseplants, including: 'Cold Fusion', 'Curlew', 'Curly Top', 'Elfin', 'Genevieve', 'Harmony', 'JCS', 'Nez Misso', 'Olive Baldwin', 'Pink Surprise', 'Raspberry Parfait', 'Reward', 'Samson', 'Storm'. These plants reach up to 12-15 inches tall, and leaves curl towards their tips. Can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b.

Billbergia macrolepis (Macrolepis Billbertia, Macropelis's Billbergia)
This species is native to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Guyana. It has a commonly cultivated varietal called 'Anubis'. Can be grown outdoors year-round in USDA hardiness zones 10-11 or as a houseplant or greenhouse specimen.

Billbergia nutans (Queen's Tears, Friendship Plant)
This epiphytic plant is native to Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina, and has many cultivars. This species is a commonly-grown houseplant, but can also be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9-12. Individual plants in this species can reach up to 1-2 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide at maturity. Forms clumps over time.

Billbergia porteana
This species is native to Brazil and Paraguay, and has a commonly grown cultivar called 'Thelma Darling Hodge'. Individual plants typically reach up to 3 feet tall, with flower inflorescences that can reach up to a foot long. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b outdoors, or indoors as a houseplant or greenhouse specimen.

Billbergia pyramidalis (Flaming Torch, Foolproof Plant)
This species of Billbergia is native to northern South America and parts of the Caribbean. It was first described by John Sims and was named by John Lindley. These plants form clumps of strappy foliage, and are useful groundcovers in tropical areas. Plants are sometimes also cultivated as indoor houseplants. Propagate via division. Best outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b.

Billbergia vittata (Striped Billbergia)
This species is native to Brazil and produces bright reddish-pink inflorescences with blue flowers. There are many cultivars to choose from. This species does well outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-12 or indoors as a houseplant or greenhouse specimen.

Caring for Billbergia

Billbergia, or Queen's Tears, plants can be grown outdoors, though in climates that have cool winters they are more successfully grown in containers so that they can be brought indoors or into a sheltered location during the coldest months of the year. They prefer temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and tend to develop issues when grown outside of this range. In cold regions, grow indoors or as greenhouse specimens. Choose an area that receives bright, filtered light but not direct sunlight. Afternoon sun will scorch foliage; morning or evening sun is best. Ensure that soil is well-draining and relatively light. A mixture of a succulent and cactus soil, orchid park, worm castings, and compost does well. Deep water about once every month or two, allowing all moisture to drain away from roots. Keep the central cup filled about halfway with fresh water, replacing the water every few weeks to avoid mosquito larvae from developing in it, and to discourage bacterial growth. Apply a dressing of compost around the base of plants yearly in springtime, working it into the soil a bit.

Growing Billbergia Indoors
These plants are commonly grown as indoor houseplants, or in greenhouses in order to better mimic their natural habitat. Place plants in an area of the home that gets bright, indirect light but no direct sun. In their native environment, they will grow under the canopy of much larger plants, and can survive for a while in lower light but do need more to flower. During the flowering season, addition of a grow light is recommended. Ensure that soil is well-draining and relatively light. A mixture of a succulent and cactus soil, orchid park, worm castings, and compost does well. Water deeply every month, soaking the entire pot and then allowing it to fully drain. Keep the cup (the center part of the plant) halfway filled with water, flushing out the cup every few weeks to discourage bacteria and pests. In cooler months, when the plant is dormant, keep the cup filled a quarter of the way and reduce deep waterings to once every two months. Plan on repotting about once every four to five years. They have small root systems, and are typically epiphytic in their native environments. The best time to repot them is in springtime.

Propagation

Billbergia, or Queen's Tears, is most commonly propagated via division of offsets, or 'pups'. These offsets form at the base of mature plants, and are easily removed and planted elsewhere.

Propagating Billbergia by Division
The easiest way to propagate an Billbergia plant is by separating pups from the mother plant and replanting them. The pups will come out of the ground easily with a hand shovel when they are young, so make sure to catch them when they are small (just a few inches in diameter). To propagate by division of pups, grab a clean trowel and knife as well as a pot filled with a well-draining, barky substrate. Billbergias can thrive in an orchid potting mix. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these steps:

Loosen the soil around the bottom of your Billbergia plant where the pup has formed and locate the root that is connecting it to the parent plant. Cut the root with a sharp trowel. Take care to not cut off any of the other roots that are coming out of the pup.
Gently dig up the pup, keeping as many roots attached as possible. Then, place the pup in a shaded, dry area that receives good ventilation for a few days, until it forms a callous where it was cut from the parent plant.
Plant your pup in your pot filled with potting mix and lightly moisten the soil, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the container in an area that receives bright light and stays relatively warm.
Give the pup water every time the top inch or two of soil dry out, but don't saturate the soil. After a few weeks of this watering schedule, the pup should be ready to be planted outside in its permanent home. Then, follow the instructions in the care section to grow your pup into an adult plant.