Growing your Neoregelia Carolinae In a Pot: 24 Care Tips

Neoregelia Carolinae is a stunning plant with a unique appearance, making it a terrific choice for indoor gardeners.

In this informative care guide, we’re diving into the hows, whys, and whens of everything that your Neoregelia Carolinae needs to stay healthy.

Keep reading on to find out where you can buy this Neoregelia, along with its exciting attributes and common pitfalls to avoid.

What Is Neoregelia Carolinae?

The Neoregelia Carolinae is commonly called Blushing Bromeliad. It is a perennial that is well-known for its blushing foliage. This stunning plant from the Bromeliaceae family has green leaves with a red-pink center and strap-like sharp edges.

Bromeliads are air plants (epiphytes) in their natural habitat, or they grow on trees or other species on the forest floor while collecting water in their central cup.

While the rest of this article focuses on indoor growth, this Neoregelia can be grown outdoors in hardiness zones 10-11.

Origin And Family

Blushing Bromeliad belongs to the Neoregelia genus in the Bromeliaceae family. Natively, it’s from the rainforests of South America, primarily from Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

Neoregelia species are relatives of the pineapple, but unlike the fibrous fruit, these plants are not consumable.

Named after German botanist E. A. von Regel, this stunning plant has recently gained popularity among indoor growers.

Where To Buy

Those who are looking for a Neoregelia Carolinae should consider searching online. Etsy is an excellent platform for buying houseplants.

Neoregelia Carolinaes can be very affordable, with prices between $10 for small plants and $30+ for larger, more mature, or variegated plants.

Neoregelia Carolinae Plant Size

As a houseplant, the Neoregelia Carolinae reaches 9-18 inches tall and 9-18 inches wide when mature. This plant will look good in east, west, or south-facing location.

Neoregelia Carolinae Care Needs

Your Neoregelia Carolinae, like any other houseplant, will thrive when adequately cared for. With its blushing foliage, this plant adores humidity and wants relatively moist soil throughout the year.

Like most growers, you’ll want to water your Neoregelia and replace the water in its “vase” regularly. Give the water plenty of time to drain via the pot’s drainage hole. In terms of lighting, this exciting plant needs bright light to thrive.

Read our in-depth care guide below for more specific advice!

Care Difficulty

While all plants require some level of care, most indoor gardeners believe that Blushing Bromeliad is easy to care for. You can maintain this plant’s best health by ensuring that the right parameters, such as the amount of light and well-draining soil, are in place.

Growth Rate

Blushing Bromeliad’s growth rate is typically slow. As it matures indoors, it should reach about 9-18 inches.

Potting

Neoregelia plants generally prefer a pot with good drainage. A medium-sized terracotta or clay pot works fine. Drainage holes are necessary to prevent your Blushing Bromeliad roots from drowning in excess water. These plants can also get top-heavy, so choose a shallow and heavy pot to prevent it from toppling.

✨ Blushing Bromeliad ✨
(Neoregelia Carolinae)

🍀rts and fleets appreciated🍀#artph #ArtistOnTwitter #ArtistofSEA pic.twitter.com/kFFUnkPjEx

— Roy (@Inkogniroyph) February 11, 2021

Repotting

As your Neoregelia Carolinae develops, you should think about moving it to a larger pot if you see the plant has outgrown its pot. However, repotting is not always necessary as this plant has compact root systems and is unlikely to fill the pot.

When repotting, use a fresh batch of growing medium so that your Neoregelia’s roots will absorb more nutrients.

Soil

Neoregelia Carolinae grows well when grown in a standard commercial potting medium. If you want to make your own instead of purchasing a medium, start by adding peat moss, perlite, coarse sand, and orchid bark. This plant likes its soil to stay relatively moist.

Additionally, sufficient drainage is critical to prevent fungal diseases, root rot, and other issues.

These are some soil options we recommend:

pH

Your Blushing Bromeliad likes neutral to acidic soil, meaning you should keep the pH level at 5.5 to 7.5. If you’re concerned about acidity, you can buy a simple pH testing tool to examine your soil.

Regulate excessive pH levels on your soil with sulfur or aluminum sulfate. Improve low pH levels by adding baking soda, calcitic or dolomitic lime, or wood ash.

Water

Your Blushing Bromeliad will want the soil to stay relatively moist in between watering schedules. Like many rosette Bromeliads, this tropical plant has a central “vase” that needs to be filled with water at all times. Change the water regularly to prevent bacteria growth which may cause the water to smell.

Bromeliads are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals, so ensure to use only chlorine-free water (e.g., distilled water, rainwater) when drenching this plant.

Overwatering is among the most prevalent causes of plant death indoors. When in doubt, it’s usually preferable to underwater than overwater Blushing Bromeliad. Use well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes to ensure your plant’s roots aren’t drowned. This interesting plant hates soggy soil and too much water.

Light

This easy-to-care-for houseplant prefers bright light. If there’s excessive or too much direct sunlight, its leaves may get burned. If there’s a lack of light, its leaves may droop, turn darker, and become soft. A combination of partial sun and low light (shade) throughout the day is ideal for this plant.

If your Neoregelia Carolinae isn’t getting enough light, you can move it closer to a window or consider investing in LED grow lights. Here are recommended products for you to choose from:

Fertilizer

Plants, like people, need more food when they are actively growing because they are using up a lot of their energy. This growth spurt usually happens in the spring and summer months for the Blushing Bromeliad. During this time, you can apply a liquid fertilizer once a month. This plant is not a heavy feeder.

When the winter months come, you don’t need to fertilize because plants’ roots usually go dormant in the cold. This means they won’t need extra food for growth.

Propagating Neoregelia Carolinae

The Neoregelia Carolinae can be propagated from the comfort of your home. Here are steps for making more of this fascinating plant.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

“The most convenient way to propagate a Neoregelia Bromeliads is by making a cutting and planting it in soil. Early spring to fall is the best time to propagate a Blushing Bromeliad. Here are the steps for getting started.

1. Collect your cutting. Look for a healthy stem section from the parent plant with new growth with one or two nodes. Cut just below the Blushing Bromeliad’s nodes with clean gardening shears.

2. Plant your cutting. Directly plant the cutting into standard commercial potting soil.

3. Maintain your cutting. Keep the soil around your baby Neoregelia Carolinae moist and maintain a temperature of approximately 65-80°F.

4. Rotate your cutting. For even growth on all sides of your Carolinae, rotate the pot now and then. “

Humidity And Aeration

High humidity is best for your Neoregelia Carolinae.

Crispy leaves and browning edges often characterize the lack of humidity in houseplants. Consider getting a humidifier or placing your plant in well-lit, naturally higher-humidity spaces (such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms).

Temperature

Temperature ranges between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit is best for your Blushing Bromeliad.

Sudden temperature swings can be fatal to Bromeliad plants. During the winter, close windows and seal any openings where cold drafts may enter. Don’t place your plant near appliances that emit heat.

Neoregelia Carolinae ‘Tricolor’ (Blushing Bromeliad) is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Brazil. Green & white leaves form a waterfilled rosette that turns pinky red in the center when flowering. The flower hides within.#TBay's Botanical Conservatory is closed due to COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/zRzCydCftf

— friendsTBconservator (@friendsTBcon) February 15, 2021

Flowers

The Neoregelia Carolinae is mainly grown for its blushing foliage, but it can also produce non-showy purple flowers at no specific time of the year. It may take 3-5 years before the plant reaches its mature stage, but the display of small flowers can last up to 6 months.

When the flowering phase is over, the rosette cups will die and be replaced by offsets or pups at the base of the plant, which can be propagated.

Non-Toxic

The Blushing Bromeliad is not toxic to children or pets. There are also no ingredients in the plant that are harmful to humans. This plant will not harm dogs or cats if ingested, according to the ASPCA.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

This epiphytic plant is resistant to several bugs, issues, and diseases. In the sections below, I’ll outline some of the most common problems for Neoregelia Carolinae and some tips and tricks for treating them.

Spider Mites

Sometimes, houseplants can transmit pests into your home that you don’t want. The spider mite is one such example. The adult mites are usually seen scurrying fast when disturbed, but the larvae won’t be visible.

Neem oil diluted with water can be sprayed on the leaves of your plant to help get rid of spider mite larvae. Sprays made of organic Pyrethrin are also available and work well at eliminating adult mites. Be careful when selecting pesticides that are safe for people to breathe when you spray them indoors.

Scale Insects

Insects called scales eat the sap of plants. They differ from other insects because the mature scale will stick to one area of the plant and remain there. They are known as armored scales and can resemble brownish lumps on a plant’s stems or petioles.

To stop scales from adhering to your Neoregelia Carolinae, you can spray the leaves of your plant with a solution made by dissolving a teaspoon of neem oil in 500 mL of water.

Infected plants might also benefit from the release of ladybugs or lacewings, which will take care of the problem for you.

Aphids

Aphids are small bugs that will eat the leaves of your Neoregelia plant, leaving black and brown patches.

To get rid of an infestation, use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Dish soap in low doses can also eliminate pests without endangering your plant. Select a fragrance-free product, such as Ivory Liquid.

Begin by combining 1 teaspoon of dish soap and a gallon of water. You may increase the ratio as needed. Spray this mixture over the infected plant, paying particular attention to the undersides of the leaves where aphids are typically present.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Blushing Bromeliad. These tiny parasites weaken your plant by sucking on the sap. The honeydew that they secrete can also invite fungal diseases.

Mealybugs are visibly oval bugs that appear as cottony masses on all parts of plants. They will either stay immobile or crawl slowly.

To fight against a mealybug invasion, use a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol and rub it over the strap-like leaves or any affected areas of the pant. It is also recommended to use neem oil mixed with water as a preventive spray.

Brown Leaf Tips

One common cause of browning edges on your Blushing Bromeliad leaves is a build-up of salts and minerals in the soil. This typically happens if you apply too much fertilizer or use chemically-treated tap water.

Another reason for browning leaf tips is the lack of moisture. Water your plant appropriately, and improve your indoor humidity.

A vibrant start to the weekend with this ‘blushing bromeliad’. Neoregelia carolinae is an epiphyte native to the rainforests of Brazil, epiphytes grow on other plants but are not parasitic.
In the UK it is a popular houseplant and will grow happily in a well drained container. pic.twitter.com/atIOVWxEEy

— University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum (@OBGHA) April 18, 2020

Drooping Leaves

Drooping leaves on your Neoregelia Carolinae indicate that your plant is thirsty. In this case, your plant will usually perk back up once it’s watered. It might also help to increase the humidity.

Be careful! Pest-infested plants can have droopy and curling leaves at first but will eventually develop other signs, such as spots, stunted growth, and a general decline in health. Always check on the underside of leaves if you suspect any issues with pests.

Yellow Leaves

If you see yellowing leaves on your mature plant, you might need to consider several factors to determine the culprit. Are you watering your plant too little or too much? Is your plant getting enough light? Did you fertilize your plant recently? Are there sudden changes in the weather?

Of course, bottom leaves turn yellow to indicate that your plant is growing and the leaf’s energy has been spent. In this case, simply pluck off the yellowing leaves so the plant can focus on increasing new green leaves.

Root Rot

Overwatering, inadequate drainage, or fungal spores on the soil can all cause root rot in plants. Root rot is difficult to treat, so it is best to take precautions.

The best way to prevent rot in Blushing Bromeliad is to ensure that the root system is not consistently exposed to wet conditions. Always check for soil moisture before watering your plant. Use a chunky soil mix to allow airflow in the roots. Most importantly, use a porous pot that has drainage holes.

Similar Plants

Love Blushing Bromeliad? Here are some other similar plant options you should try:

Neoregelia Medusa – Named after the greek mythological character “Medusa,” the woman with snakes for hair because of its long leaves coming from a central “head.” This plant is pretty rare and can be challenging to find.

Want to know the best condition to grow Bromeliads indoors? Check out our 9 Tips for growing these beautiful plants.

Have pets? Here’s our guide for caring for pet-friendly houseplants.

Conclusion

With its blushing foliage, the Neoregelia Carolinae grows beautifully indoors.

It’s easy to care for. It loves bright light, high humidity, relatively moist soil, and warm temps.

So if you’re seeking a new addition to your collection or are just getting started as an indoor gardener, use these instructions to grow your own Neoregelia Carolinae!

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