Photo of Billbergia nutans 'Variegata' foliage by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Billbergia nutans 'Variegata'

Also Known As

  • Variegated Queen's Tears

Plant type

perennial, bromeliad

size

  • H: 12"-24"
  • W: 6"-24"

planting zones

  • 8b-12

More Options

Billbergia nutans 'Variegata' plant details

Billbergia nutans 'Variegata' is an evergreen perennial bromeliad with gold, green, variegated and white foliage. In spring blue flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Billbergia nutans 'Variegata'

Plant type: perennial bromeliad
Plant family: bromeliaceae
Foliage: evergreen gold, green, variegated and white
Mature size: 6 IN - 24 IN - wide, 12 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in spring
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, houseplant, long-blooming, rare, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Billbergia nutans 'Variegata'

USDA Zones: 8b - 12
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Awesome variegated epiphyte from Brazil – an easy bromeliad for container culture or planted out - great for seasonal 'plunging' in the garden – ours have seen 18 °F, no problem! High filtered shade – good drainage – very long lasting drooping flowers of magenta bracts with cornflower blue petals – long lived, no fuss, water in leaf wells! Try it, you'll like it! Rare form!
Wonderful, new variation on an old-fashioned "friendship" plant. Pleasingly chartreuse and cream striped perennial, to 18" x 3 ft, with screaming pink, pendulous flowers. For shade or morning sun. An ideal container plant, this form has proven frost hardier than its green predecessors having withtstood 16F, mid USDA zone 8, in a protected location with no damage. Keep moist-ish.

Gardening facts about Billbergia nutans 'Variegata' plant

How to Grow Billbergia nutans 'Variegata'

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • alkaline
    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • white
    • gold
    • green
  • Flower Color

    • blue
  • Wildlife

    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glossy

See other plant types of Billbergia for your garden

aka Golden Queen Anne's Tears

Plant Type

Bromeliad

Zones

8b-12

Size

Height: 1'-2'

Width: 1'-3'

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Billbergia nutans 'Blondie' foliage by Secret Garden Growers
View Plant

aka Friendship Plant, Queens Tear's

Plant Type

Bromeliad

Zones

9a-12

Size

Height: 12"-24"

Width: 12"-36"

  • bright shade - shade
  • regular - low
  • dry in winter
Photo of Billbergia nutans flower by Karl Gercens III
View Plant

aka Kyoto Flaming Torch, Kyoto Summer Torch

Plant Type

Perennial, Bromeliad

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 6"-18"

Width: 18"

  • sun
  • regular
Photo of Billbergia pyramidalis 'Kyoto' flower by Brian's Botanicals
View Plant

More Options

aka Billbergia x 'Rubra', Cryptbergia x Billbergia, Red Billbergia

Plant Type

Perennial, Bromeliad

Zones

9b-11

Size

Height: 6"-12"

Width: 12"-24"

  • sun - bright shade
  • regular - occasional
Photo of Cryptbergia 'Red Burst' by Cactus Jungle
View Plant

More Options

aka Billbergia spacelata, Billbergia sphacelata, Bromelia clandestina, Bromelia discolor, Bromelia sphacelata

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 4'-6'

Width: 2'-3'

  • mostly shade
  • regular
Photo of Greigia sphacelata by Stan Shebs
View Plant
+1 more Billbergia
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