Cryptanthus Bivittatus 'Elaine'

With over 1,200 different varieties, Cryptanthus have incredibly varied and beautiful foliage ranging from dark green and variegated to bright reds and pinks to silvery stripes. This variety, 'Elaine', boasts star-like style pink-marginated, black foliage with gray striations. It's both a rare and unique variety! Provide this plant with a well-drained soil, average moisture, and high humidity for best growth. High light levels will produce the most intense foliage colors. Known for their foliage, they can also sometimes produce blooms. This variety will turn a pale or turn green is provided low light levels. This plant will put out small plants, called pups, near the base of the plant. The pups will replace the original plant when it degrades after flowering. You can remove them from the mother plant and pot them up!

Available in 5" nursery pot.

Ed's Plant Profile

• Scientific Name: Cryptanthus Bivittatus 
• Common Name: Earth Star, Starfish plant, Elaine, Earth, Pink Starlight Star Bromeliad, Cryptanthus bromeliads
• Family: Bromeliaceae 
• Native Range: Brazil 

Ed's Care Guide

• Light: Prefers bright indirect light indoors. Avoid direct sunlight. The brighter the light, the more colorful the leaves will be.
• Water: Water when the soil is almost dry. Do not allow to dry out completely for an extended period of time.
• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity. Perfect for terrariums.
• Temperature: 55-90F
• Pruning: Prune as needed to remove brown or dead leaves and control growth.
• Growth: Slow growth. Can grow to be 10" - 14" across.
• Propagation:  Plant will grow small plants, called pups, that form at the base of the plant and can be propagated. 
• Pests: Generally not subject to pests. Look out for whitefly, mealybugs, and spider miters.
• Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets