Vriesea Madonna - Flaming sword plant

Vriesea 'Madonna' is an indoor bromeliad that stands out with its bicoloured flowering in shades of red-pink and yellow. Its beautiful inflorescence emerges from an elegant rosette of green, glossy leaves, a spectacle that can be enjoyed for weeks. Very attractive in a well-lit living room, but not behind a sunny window, this low-maintenance variety will delight all lovers of exotic decor.

Vriesea 'Madonna' is a perennial plant from the Bromeliaceae family, similar to Guzmania and Aechmea. This cultivar, created by breeder R. Deroose before 2006, is a horticultural hybrid. A compact variety, Vriesea 'Madonna' reaches a height of 30 to 40 cm at maturity, with a spread of around 30 cm. Its dark green leaves, 3 to 4 cm wide and 15 to 20 cm long, are arranged in an elegant rosette that also serves to collect water. The inflorescence is bicoloured and branched. It measures 15 to 20 cm in length and 5 to 10 cm in diameter. It features bracts with reddish-pink edges and a yellow-orange centre. Flowering typically appears after 14 to 15 months of cultivation and lasts several weeks. As with all bromeliads, the main rosette dies naturally after flowering. However, it usually produces offsets (lateral shoots) that can be separated and repotted to perpetuate the plant.
The Vriesea genus includes over 250 botanical species native to tropical regions of Central and South America, particularly Brazil. These epiphytic or terrestrial plants thrive in warm, humid environments, often perched in the canopy of forests, where they benefit from filtered light.
Indoors, Vriesea 'Madonna' requires bright, indirect light, but no direct sunlight, which could scorch its leaves. A temperature between 18 and 24 °C is ideal to ensure its growth.

Vriesea 'Madonna' finds its place in a bright living room, a well-lit bedroom, or even a well-lit bathroom, where natural humidity will suit it. To create an exotic atmosphere, pair Vriesea 'Madonna' with other bromeliads, such as Vriesea hieroglyphica with its sculptural texture and Guzmania 'Tala' with its orange flowers.