Nidularium innocentii
Genus Nidularium bromeliad native to eastern Brazil forming rosettes of strap-shaped, toothed leaves 30–50 cm long and 4–5 cm wide with magenta undersides and dark green tops that may turn red, purple, or pink under bright light, and bearing tubular white flowers surrounded by red bracts in a nest-like central arrangement from June to October; an evergreen epiphytic or lithophytic bromeliad of the wet tropical biome that thrives in bright indirect light and high humidity, with well-draining loamy soil kept consistently moist, requires fertilization every 4–6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced 10-10-10, can be propagated from offsets when about one-third the size of the mother plant, and repotted every 1–2 years.
Common Names
Bird's Nest Bromeliad, Purpurvattensamlare
Summary
Nidularium innocentii, commonly known as the bird's nest bromeliad, is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil and often grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte in wet tropical forests. It is an evergreen perennial forming rosettes of strap-shaped leaves, with dark green upper surfaces, magenta undersides, and reddish tones; it bears tubular white flowers surrounded by deep red bracts that create a nest-like display, and variegated forms with pale longitudinal stripes exist.
Bright, indirect light and high humidity suit cultivation, with temperatures around 18–25°C and a hardiness zone of 10a or higher; direct sun should be avoided to prevent leaf burn. Use a light, well-draining mix that stays moist but never soggy, with a pot providing good drainage; water into the leaf axils and keep the substrate consistently moist during the growing season, reducing watering in cooler periods. Fertilize every 4 weeks from spring to autumn with bromeliad-specific fertilizer at 1/4 of the recommended dose, and propagate by offsets or seeds. Monitor for pests such as mealybugs and scale, and note that the plant is not known to be toxic to humans or pets.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
12-19.5 inches
Spread
12-20 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10a
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade, full sun possible near a south-facing window to maximize growth.
Soil Type
Light, well-draining loamy soil mix
Soil Drainage
Well-draining loamy soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged, a mix of orchid bark, peat, and perlite is ideal.
Bloom Color
Red, Purple, White
Bloom Time
Summer to Fall
Foliage Color
Dark green with a reddish tint on the top and magenta on the underside
Fall Foliage Color
Yellow
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast growth; doubles in size before repotting.
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Lem.
- Publication
- Ill. Hort. 2(Misc.): 13 (1855)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Poales
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Genus
- Nidularium
Synonyms
Aregelia makoyana Karatas innocentii Neoregelia makoyana Nidularium innocentii var. bauense Nidularium innocentii var. paxianum Nidularium innocentii var. striatum Nidularium lineatum Nidularium makoyanum Nidularium paxianum Nidularium paxianum var. procerum Nidularium striatum Regelia innocentii Regelia makoyana Vriesea purpurascens Nidularium striatum Nidularium paxianum var. lineatum Nidularium innocentii var. innocentii Karatas striata Gemellaria innocentii Karatas makoyana Karatas striata Nidularium exostigmum Nidularium innocentii var. lineatum Nidularium striatum