Queen's Tears (Billbergia nutans): Pendulous Bromeliad Blooms

Queen's tears (Billbergia nutans) is an easy-to-grow, epiphytic bromeliad that forms rosettes of slender, spiny-toothed, olive-green leaves. In spring, it produces spectacular, pendulous flower spikes with pink bracts and narrow, tubular green flowers edged in blue, dripping nectar—hence "queen's tears."

Growth

Rosettes grow 12–18 inches tall. The plant spreads by stolons, forming clumps. It can be grown epiphytically on bark or in well-draining pots. The flowers last several weeks.

Care

Bright, indirect light; keep the central cup filled with water. Water soil sparingly. Use orchid/bromeliad mix. Fertilize monthly with dilute balanced fertilizer. Hardy in zones 9–11; protect from frost.

Taxonomy

• Family: Bromeliaceae
• Genus: Billbergia
• Species: nutans
• Synonyms: Billbergia linearifolia, Billbergia minuta