Cryptanthus bivittatus 'Ruby'

This bromeliad displays striking red-on-darker-red variegation when given good light.

Scientific classification:
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Angiosperms
Class:	Monocots
Order:	Poales
Family:	Bromeliaceae
Genus:	Cryptanthus
Species:	bivittatus
Cultivar:	'Ruby'

Natural habitat and growing conditions:

A terrestrial (ground-dwelling) bromeliad native to drier areas of Brazil, this plant requires bright light, and warm conditions to perform well. Individual plants only live for 6-16 months; after flowering the plant does not grow any more but "pups" are produced from the base of the leaves which break off and form a new plant.

Notes of interest:

• This earth star plant is closely related to the pineapple, although Cryptanthus bivittatus typically only gets 6-8 inches across and tall.
• If given low light or an incomplete spectrum, the red coloration disappears and the leaves turn green.
• When grown under most LED lights, this plant will not have red coloration due to missing colors in the light spectrum, but with Black Dog LED lights it displays a vibrant, deep red color.