Care Tips
 
Water
Guzmania has a moderate tolerance to drought conditions. It’s best to underwater than overwater, as conditions that remain too soggy can cause problems with rot. To help reduce the possibility of a buildup of salts, use room temperature rainwater or distilled water when watering your Guzmania. The plant absorbs water through its leaves and center rosette, also called its cup or vase. When watering, apply to its center rosette, filling the cup with water. During spring and summer while the Guzmania is actively growing, you might have to fill the rosette with water several times weekly.
 
Temperature
In their native habitat, Guzmanias grow in consistently warm tropical to subtropical climates and don’t tolerate freezing temperatures. They will thrive and perform well with indoor temperatures that are generally comfortable for you. Keeping temperatures inside the home between 60°F (15.5°C) to 80°F (26.6°C) is sufficient for good growth. If you’ve placed your Guzmania outdoors to give it a break from indoor growth, make sure to bring it back inside before old man winter makes a visit bringing cold weather.
 
Fertilize
When grown indoors, Guzmanias are light feeders. They only require an application of fertilizer every other month during the growing seasons of spring through summer. During winter, the plant’s growth slows and goes into dormancy and feeding should cease. You can use an all-purpose, water-soluble houseplant blend applied at half or a third strength. Apply the fertilizer to the soil and don’t pour into the Guzmania’s center rosette. This helps reduce the buildup of salts. Flushing the center cup and soil every other month helps reduce any salts or minerals that have built up through fertilizing or watering.
 
Light
When grown indoors, Guzmania prefers a location that receives bright but indirect light. This generally means that a south-facing window is too bright and the foliage may burn or discolor. If the leaves lighten and even turn yellow, the plant is receiving too much light. On the other hand, if the foliage is dark green, begins drooping and turns soft, it’s not getting enough light. Although your Guzmania will survive in light conditions that are too low, it will cease growing and remain stunted. If you decide to give your Guzmania a break from growing indoors when the weather warms outside, place it in a location that is shady to partially shady. Never situated it in the full sun.