PlantFiles: Neoregelia
Neoregelia crispata

I have had this plant for a long time. Probably around 12 or more years. Ususlly it's kept under a shade tent, made of woven fabric allowing perhaps 10 -15% sun, so it stays more green than red. This year my old shade tent was ripped apart by the wind at the beginning of a rainy 6 week period. The plant was fully exposed to the elements. It has lots of new growth from all the rain and it's much redder than ususal due to sun exposure.
I give away lots of cuttings of the plant so it could be much larger. The off shoots root easily in very loose, airated soil. Once rooted it begins to send out shoots which seem to become "air" plants.
I finally found a repacement shade tent and it's back in the shade, except for late, after 3 pm sun exposure on it's West side. Eventually the sun side will stay mostly red and the shade side will return to being mostly green. The plant will grow equally well on both sides under these conditions.
The plant generates lots of interest due to it's size and colorful appearance.
In the photograph it's not shown in it's ususal place.