

















Droophead Tufted Airplant

4.3 out of 5 (72 experiences)


About Droophead Tufted Airplant
The Scarlet Star is a tropical bromeliad, and one of the most popular ones in cultivation. The colorful blooms in the center of the plant are actually made up of red or orange 'bracts' and the plant only produces tiny white 'true' flowers just before it dies. In the wild, they collect rainwater in the center of their bracts so next time you water, try to mimic nature and leave a small pool for them to drink! 💧
Taxonomy
Guzmania lingulata
Guzmania
Bromeliaceae
Poales
Also known as
Scarlet Star, Orange Star, Vase Plant, Bromeliad guzmania and Scarlet Star Bromeliad

How to care for Droophead Tufted Airplant

How often to water your Droophead Tufted Airplant

every 12
Droophead Tufted Airplant needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Droophead Tufted Airplant in your home

a window
Droophead Tufted Airplant love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Droophead Tufted Airplant does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Droophead Tufted Airplant in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Droophead Tufted Airplant

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Droophead Tufted Airplant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Droophead Tufted Airplant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Droophead Tufted Airplant thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Droophead Tufted Airplant requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Droophead Tufted Airplant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Humidity
Droophead Tufted Airplant prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Droophead Tufted Airplant does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Droophead Tufted Airplant grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Native Region
Droophead Tufted Airplant is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Droophead Tufted Airplant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Droophead Tufted Airplant grows in a rosette pattern, with leaves neatly arranged in a circle. New growth will emerge from the center.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Droophead Tufted Airplant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Droophead Tufted Airplant can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Droophead Tufted Airplant, since they are very sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Droophead Tufted Airplant
Droophead Tufted Airplant
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say







