The so-called flaming sword (Vriesea splendens) is a subspecies of the bromeliad family. Like the coral berry, the blue lily and many other popular houseplants, the flaming sword is one of the relatively short-lived plants.
How do I optimally care for a Flaming Sword?
A flaming sword requires moderate moisture, low-lime water, a partially shaded location, temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius and monthly fertilizer. Avoid waterlogging and rot through appropriate watering and high humidity.
How often should the Flaming Sword be cast?
The Flaming Sword prefers a plant substrate that is always moderately moist, which is why you should water sparingly every few days. You can also spray the entire plant with a fine mist of water. Especially during the warm summer, you can also add some water to the funnel formed by the plant's leaves. However, this procedure must be stopped as soon as a flower forms. When watering, you should always use low-lime rainwater or water softened with a water filter (€59.00 on Amazon).
What should you consider when repotting the Flaming Sword?
Since this type of plant only flowers once, the question of repotting older specimens doesn't really arise. As is usual with bromeliads, the children used for propagation are only carefully separated after about six to nine months and placed in their own planter.
Are there pests that are particularly common problems with the Flaming Sword?
If the air in the room is too dry, an infestation with the dreaded spider mites can sometimes get worse quite quickly. Prevent and also ensure optimal site conditions by keeping the humidity high by spraying the Flaming Sword with soft water.
Which illnesses or care errors regularly occur with the Flaming Sword?
For optimal growth, the following factors must be taken into account with the Flaming Sword:
- a location that is not too sunny
- soft watering water
- the correct watering interval
- a temperature of more than 15 degrees Celsius on average
The soil in the pot should never dry out completely with the Flaming Sword, otherwise the tips of the leaves can turn brown quite quickly. If water remains in the plant's funnel too often, problems with rot can occur.
How can you optimally supply the Flaming Sword with fertilizer?
As is the case with some other bromeliad species, the flaming sword does not have a particularly high nutrient requirement. It is therefore sufficient if a small fertilizer ration (ideally liquid with the irrigation water) is administered approximately every month between April and September.
What should the ideal winter quarters for a Flaming Sword be like?
Even in winter, the Flaming Sword should not be cooler than around 15 degrees Celsius and should be sufficiently bright. Even without the eye-catching flowers, the plant can still be quite attractive with its leaves and can still serve as a mother plant for the growth of several children.
Tip
Like the dragon tree, the flaming sword is suitable for easy care as a hydroponic plant.
