13 Bromeliad Varieties for Colorful Indoor Blooms

Bromeliads are tropical plants that grow naturally in a variety of places. They are mostly epiphytic, growing on tree branches, but can also be terrestrial, growing in soil or between rocks. They are related to pineapples and air plants, which is evident from their growth habits and appearances. 

These exciting epiphytes are native to the Americas in tropical climates. While some are able to thrive in dry areas, they are predominantly rainforest plants that love humidity. Aside from anchoring them in place, their rather insignificant root system does little. They take in most of the water they need through their leaves, which form a reservoir in the crown of the plant. 

Bromeliads are similar to orchids in their care needs. They need well-draining soil with large particles like bark, peat moss, and perlite. They prefer their sunlight filtered, as through a tree canopy, and direct light can burn their glossy leaves. Here are some of the stunning varieties of bromeliad that you can keep as houseplants.

‘Treasure Chest’

	botanical name Neoregelia ‘Treasure Chest’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6”-7”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Neoregelia is a genus of epiphytic bromeliads that are native to South America. They do flower, but the blooms are inconspicuous. Their color comes from their leaves, which are typically more colorful when they first unfurl. ‘Treasure Chest’ is an especially bright and colorful variety. The new leaves are such a bright shade of red; they are nearly neon. 

As they age, the color deepens, often turning green. There are splashes of yellow on the newer leaves, but these fade over time. This is a shorter variety, reaching only eight inches tall at maturity. It is wider than it is tall, sprawling as wide as 20 inches. 

‘Wolfgang’

	botanical name Neoregelia ‘Wolfgang’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 7”-9”
	hardiness zones 10-11

‘Wolfgang’ is another short but wide bromeliad that shows off in a veritable rainbow of colors. The long, curved leaves have stripes in shades of green, red, pink, and orange. The newer leaves are a more bold shade of red, and they fade as they age to more of a creamy orange.

While variegation is not unusual for these epiphytes, this particular variety has tons of it, making it one of the showiest. This makes it popular and is typically easy to find. 

‘Fireball’

	botanical name Neoregelia ‘Fireball’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”-14”
	hardiness zones 10-11

‘Fireball’ is a clumping bromeliad, so make sure to give it space to grow into. It’s taller than the previous two varieties, growing over a foot tall in some cases. The leaves grow upward more than outward, which is what gives this one its height.

‘Fireball’ is attractive, with a green crown and pinkish-red leaves. This is an easy one to care for, so it’s great for beginners and expert growers alike. The clumping habit is fun, as the pups will eventually overflow their container and grow as though suspended in the air.

‘Pink Magic’

	botanical name Neoregelia ‘Pink Magic’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 7”-12”
	hardiness zones 9-11

‘Pink Magic’ is another popular variety for its vibrant, colorful leaves. They’re variegated, with striping in shades of pink and deep burgundy. This one tends to be about medium height and about twice as wide as it is tall. 

There are some color variations to this cultivar. Depending on the exposure, it can be lighter shades of pink, with some green showing through the darker stripes. The more pink, the more the striping appears purple. 

‘Viola’

	botanical name Guzmania ‘Viola’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 3’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Guzmania bromeliads have large, colorful flowers and green foliage. They grow in a rosette form, like all types, and the blooms rise up tall in the center. ‘Viola’ has long, arching, straplike leaves that grow upward and curve toward the ground as they get longer. 

‘Viola’s’ flowers are hot pink. Or rather, the bracts which surround the flowers are pink. The flowers themselves are small and tucked away between the brilliant bracts. This genus is sometimes called scarlet star, as their flower bracts are starlike in shape. 

‘Patricia’

	botanical name Guzmania ‘Patricia’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 16”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Guzmanias are also epiphytic bromeliads. They’re found from Florida to South America and tolerate some direct sunlight but prefer it filtered. ‘Patricia’ has large, flashy, reddish-pink bracts, commonly forming more than one rosette. 

 ‘Patricia’ has thick, straplike foliage in apple green. This one grows quite wide and is an imposing specimen. I find the blooms on this variety to be among the most beautiful and showy.

‘Rose’

	botanical name Guzmania ‘Rose’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 3’
	hardiness zones 10-12

‘Rose’ is a tall cultivar that stands above its peers. The leaves grow upward in a looser rosette and curve gently in the center. The flower spike is also quite tall, and can be different shades of pink or orange. 

The ends of the bracts are unique on this variety, as they have touches of green. The inner crown of the bracts is cream-colored. It’s highly sought after and can be on the pricey side. 

‘Antonio Pink’

	botanical name Guzmania ‘Antonio Pink’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 2’
	hardiness zones 10-12

‘Antonio Pink’ is another stunning Guzmania cultivar with thin, stiff leaves that stand up straight at the top of the plant. As they mature, they begin to curve lightly, but not as much as some other varieties. 

Its interesting flower spikes give it the nickname pink quill plant. The bracts are pure bright pink and form tightly together in a flattened rosette. Typically several of these clusters form on the inflorescence, making this a showy and beautiful variety. 

‘Burning Bush’

	botanical name Aechmea ‘Burning Bush’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 10-11

The Aechmea genus is native to southern Brazil where it grows in trees as well as in the ground. This is a larger type of bromeliad, so it needs a large container to grow into. ‘Burning Bush’ has large, broad, long leaves that form an impressive rosette. The leaves are medium green and have a slightly serrated edge. 

‘Burning Bush’ has impressive flower spikes. A large cluster of red ovaries is the most prominent part. From these, small cornflower blue flowers emerge. This hybrid is an impressive cultivar. 

‘Yellowstone’

	botanical name Aechmea ramosa ‘Yellowstone’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Another impressive Aechmea variety, ‘Yellowstone’ is large and colorful. The leaves are green at the base, where they form the crown. The lengths can be green or a mix of gold and red, depending on exposure. 

‘Yellowstone’ produces an impressive inflorescence. A tall, slender red stem is erect initially. After blooming, yellow berries form and cause the stem to arch. This is an extra colorful and large cultivar.

‘Fantasia’

	botanical name Aechmea ‘Fantasia’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 9-11

This gorgeous cultivar is in a class of its own. The long, serrated foliage is broad and grows upright initially, then curve toward the ground. They have greyish striping on the outside and prominent dark spines along the margins. 

‘Fantasia’ has a shorter flower stem and pretty pink bracts. The bracts fold downward as bright yellow flowers unfold. It’s an exceptional specimen that will garner tons of attention. 

‘Albertina Maroon’

	botanical name Vriesea ‘Albertina Maroon’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 3’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Vriesea bromeliads are native to the Caribbean and South and Central America. They can be epiphytes, lithophytes, or terrestrial plants. ‘Albertina Maroon’ is a compact variety with a neat rosette of dark green leaves that are lighter near the crown. 

‘Albertina Maroon’ has stunning flowers. A short inflorescence rises just above the rosette and splits into many flattened panels of deep ox blood bracts. Though it’s on the smaller side, its bold red flowers make this a standout. 

‘Inferno’

	botanical name Vriesea ‘Inferno’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 3’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Where ‘Albertina Maroon’ is compact, ‘Inferno’ is large and in charge. A wide rosette of bright green leaves makes up the base of this bromeliad. They grow upward with only a slight arch, not enough to make the tips face downward.