Billbergia (Helicodea)

Billbergia nutans

Contents

1. Top Tips
2. Location, Water, Humidity & Fertilisation
3. Common Issues
4. Origins, Temperature, Propagation, Repotting & Toxicity.

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Top Tips & Info

• Care Difficulty - Easy
• Warmth is important with this species, so ensure its home doesn't dip below 16°C! (61°F)
  
• Provide a bright, indirect setting with a splash of autumn and winter sun. Excessive periods in the intense rays during the height of summer will quickly lead to sun-scorch.
• Keep the soil evenly moist, allowing the top half to dry out in between waters. Make sure that its central crown (otherwise known as a 'well') is topped with water to provide hydration and humidity.
• Fertilise using a 'Houseplant' labelled feed every four waters in the spring and summer, reducing this to every six in the colder months.
• Each individual plant will only flower once, so you'll have to wait until the 'pups' (basal offsets) reach maturity for another bloom. You can even separate the 'pups' in the spring once they surpass 8cm in length.
• Repot every three years using a 'Houseplant' potting mix; this is the perfect time for propagation and a quick check on the root/soil health.

Location & Light - 🔸🔸

A brightly lit area away from the direct sunlight is best for quality growth. A sunny position that's too sharp will cause a 'washed out' appearance, along with spindly growth and a general decline in health. Locations that are too dark will result in mould developing on the soil and a heightened risk of heart rot. The amount of light and current season of the year will directly govern the frequencies of waters per month. Specimens placed in darker areas must be kept on the drier side to life, whereas brighter locations will require more soil moisture to lubricate photosynthesis.

Water - 🔸🔸

While actively growing, allow half of the soil to dry out between waters, reducing this further in the autumn and winter. Be sure to keep the 'crown' topped up with water if in a bright environment, as this will hydrate the plant and maintain high humidity. Under-watering symptoms include pale leaves, brown leaf patches, sunken foliage and crisping flowers; these issues are typically caused by intense sun or heat, being potbound, or pure forgetfulness. Over-watering symptoms include a rotten stem with yellowing leaves, flower collapse and 'pup' death. If this occurs AFTER the flowers have elapsed, this is a natural response after unsuccessful reproduction. For those that haven't bloomed, possible reasons for the decline are too little light or heat, excess moisture within its foliage and a lack of drainage.

If the specimen is situated in a dark location, keep the central crown dry and revert to irrigation via the soil as over-saturation may result in 'crown rot' and southern blight.

Humidity - 🔸🔸🔸

High humidity is a must. Either keep the central well topped with water or introduce a pebble tray to maintain constant humidity. A pool of standing water beneath will provide enough moisture for the specimen without the risk of rotting foliage.

Fertilisation - 🔸

Feed every four waters during the growing period and every six in the autumn and winter, using a 'Houseplant' labelled fertiliser. Never apply a 'Ready to Use’ product into the soil without a pre-water first, as it may burn the roots and lead to yellowed leaves.

Billbergia windii

Common Issues with Billbergia

Plant death shortly after the flowering process is a natural and prevalent issue among growers. If you're looking to preserve the specimen for several years after the blooming period, be sure to provide a bright location and keep it under-watered with no moisture accumulating in its central 'well'. As over-watering and shady spots are the usual killers with recently-flowered individuals, keeping the foliage and soil on the drier side will allow it to enter its dormancy before developing basal offsets between its lower leaves. You can either leave the plant as it is or separate the offsets (pups) to grow in their own pots. Scroll down to 'Propagation' for more avid regarding this matter.

Alternatively, a lack of blooms from a non-flowered specimen is caused by an insufficient dormancy period, where the temperatures are kept more or less the same over the year. Reduce the temperature by a couple of degrees over the autumn and winter months, along with fewer irrigations to ensure a well-spent dormancy.

A wobbly/lopsided plant with yellowing older leaves (closest to soil) are a clear sign of over-watering, usually caused by too little light. Although Billbergia can do well in darker locations, the frequency of irrigations must be reduced to counteract the chance of root rot. People don't realise that a plant's root system needs access to oxygen too; when soil is watered, the air will travel upwards and out of the potting mix. A lack of accessible oxygen for the roots will cause them to subsequently breakdown over the oncoming days. Click on this link to learn more about root rot and how to address it.

Curled leaves and brown leaf-edges are the result of too little water and over-exposure to the sun. Billbergia are best located in bright, indirect settings, and those that haven't acclimatised to the harsh rays will show signs of sun-scorch and environmental shock. A splash of winter sunlight is acceptable as long as the soil moisture is regularly observed, with complete avoidance once summer comes along.

Too low humidity can cause browning tips with yellow halos on juvenile leaves. Although this won't kill your specimen, you may want to increase the local moisture to prevent the new growth from adopting these symptoms. Mist or rinse the foliage from time to time and create a humidity tray while the heaters are active to create a stable environment. The browning of leaf-tips on older leaves is wholly natural and is the product of extensive photosynthesis during its life.

Clean the leaves regularly. Although this isn't too much of an issue, a build-up of dust particles can clog up the plant's pores, causing lowered light capturing-efficiency. Rinse the topsides of the leaves down once a month to keep levels down and improve growing conditions.

Billbergia nutans

Origins

Billbergia was first described in 1821 by Carl Peter Thunberg, who honoured the late, Gustaf Johan Billberg, a Swedish botanist and lawyer in the early 19th-century. The species, B. nutans, was first described by Hermann Wendland in 1869, using the Latin word for 'drooping' in reference to the flowers' hanging nature. Wendland classified many species and genera over the second half of the 19th century, with works surrounding Bromeliads, Palms (Washingtonia & Chamaedorea) & African Violets (Saintpaulia).

Helicodea is synonymous to Billbergia, with all of the species being reclassified into the latter's genus in early 19th-century. Charles Lemaire documented the name in 1869.

The Distribution of Billbergia in Green. &  B. nutans in Green.

Temperature 

15° - 30°C   (59 - 86°F)
H1a (Hardiness Zone 13) - This plant should ideally be grown indoors or under glass all year round. Never allow temperatures to dip below 12℃ or permanent damage may occur in the likes of flower loss, stunted growth and yellowed leaves.

Spread

Up to 40cm in height and width. Maturity can take around four years to achieve, with 'pups' achieving this stage in around 6 years.

Pruning & Maintenance

Remove yellow or dying leaves, and plant debris to encourage better-growing conditions. While pruning, always use clean utensils or shears to reduce the chance of bacterial and fungal diseases. Never cut through yellowed tissue as this may cause further damage in the likes of diseases or bacterial infections. Remember to make clean incisions as too-damaged wounds may shock the plant, causing weakened growth and a decline in health.

Remove the bract (flower stalk) close to the plant's well once it begins to wilt, keeping the well dry from there on in. If the open tissue from the stalk's base remains submerged in water, it could result in rot that may spread to the rest of the plant if untreated. 

Propagation

Via Seed or 'Pup' Propagation.

Basal Offset Division (Easy) - Your plant will produce several basal offsets that can be separated once they have a sufficient root system and surpass the mother plant's height by half. If possible, water the soil 24hrs before the main event to reduce the risk of transplant shock, when its dry root systems are over-touched. Take the plant out of its pot and place your fingers close to the nodal junction - compost may have to be removed for better access. Push the chosen offset downwards until you hear a snap. Separate the foliage and its root system away from the mother plant, mentally noting the high risk of damage. Transplant in the appropriate sized pot with a fresh batch of 'Houseplant' labelled compost. Maintain evenly moist soil and situate it in a bright, indirect location away from any direct sunlight. After four weeks, treat it like a healthy specimen, following the care tips above!

Flowers

The individual specimen will only flower once, but as mentioned above, pups will form at the base of the plant that'll eventually flower. The bract can be up to 40cm in length and can last up to three months in the spring or summer. Colours include: red, yellow, green, brown, purple or pink that are arranged in a zigzag pattern.

A distinctive difference between other genera of Bromeliads and the Billbergia is its hanging nature. Many species from this genus will hang downwards, whereas the others are all erected vertically.

Are you interested in stimulating a show of blooms in the summer months? Reduce the ambient temperature throughout the autumn and winter, along with a reduction of watering to encourage a dormancy period. As the natural temperatures and daylight hours begin to increase in the spring, your specimen will slowly exit the resting period, potentially producing a bloom by mid-summer!

Repotting

Although it isn't entirely necessary, you can transplant it every few years in the spring using a 'Houseplant' labelled compost with the next sized pot. Hydrate the plant 24hrs before tinkering with the roots to prevent the risk of transplant shock. For those that are situated in a darker location, add an extra splash of perlite in the pot's base to improve drainage and downplay over-watering. Click here for a detailed step-by-step guide on transplantation, or via this link to learn about repotting with root rot.

Book a 1-to-1 video call with THE HOUSEPLANT DOCTOR™ if you'd like a personal guide to repotting your houseplant. This will include recommending the right branded-compost and pot size, followed by a live video call whilst you transplant the specimen for step-by-step guidance and answer any further questions!

Pests & Diseases

Keep an eye out for mealybugs, spider mites, scale, thrips & root mealybugs that'll locate themselves in the cubbyholes and undersides of the leaves, with the exception of the latter in soil. Common diseases associated with Bromeliads are root rot, leaf-spot disease, botrytis, rust, powdery mildew & southern blight - click here to learn more about these issues.

Toxicity

Not known to be poisonous when consumed by pets and humans. If large quantities are eaten, it may result in vomiting, nausea and a loss of appetite. Although the leaves may look delicate from online pictures, its foliage and flowers can be very sharp, acting like small Swiss-army knives.

Retail Locations

Online Stores.

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