Free Cryptanthus Bivittatus Plants

The low-growing Cryptanthus produces insignificant flowers but has quite attractively coloured and patterned foliage. The wavy edged leaves are green with cream stripes, which turn pink or red in bright light. Other Cryptanthus plants produce quite different foliage, such as C. zonatus, which has brownish green and white stripes running across the leaves. An effective display can be created by massing several species together in a trough or planter. The Cryptanthus produces offsets in the shape of a small rosette in the centre of the plant. These can easily be dislodged and potted on.

Plant type : Bromeliad with low-growing habit
Season of interest : All year round
Size : 5-7.5cm (2—3in) tall, 10-12cm (4—5in) across
Flower : Uninteresting, small, white, produced infrequently throughout year
Leaf : Semi-rigid, leathery, pointed, 7.5-10cm (3—4in), green striped cream, pink or red, in rosette
Temperature : 16-22°C (61 -72°F)
Aspect/Light : Reasonably well-lit situation with some light shade from direct sun
Humidity : High
Watering : Evenly moisten compost throughout year, allowing to become almost dry before re-watering
Feeding : Once a month with half strength houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : Remove offsets in spring or early summer and pot in houseplant potting or bromeliad compost at 20-22°C (68—72°F)
Potting : Houseplant potting or bromeliad compost
Problems : Mealy bug, root mealy bug, root rot from over-watering
Availability : Occasionally available throughout year
Uses indoors : Good for bowl gardens and terrariums
Other varieties : C. acaulis-grey-green foliage, C. zonatus- brown-green and white