This showy perennial grows slender, serrated leaves and resembles a fallen star. If you’re not sure whether it’s actually mold, you’re always welcome to join the Houseplant Central Facebook group and post a picture so me and a bunch of other plant enthusiasts can have a look for you. Mealybugs, a type of scale, look like small cottony masses. A talking point! See your local county extension agent for recommendations on the safest products for both people and the plants. It is wise to use a pot that is wider than it is deep. Fertilize your Earth Star to encourage growth, repot pups, and continue enjoying your Cryptanthus for years to come! Feeding is rarely required - and only sparingly if after a set back.. Good for: The Earth Star is an unusual plant, attractive on its own or several grouped together. If you have any more questions about Cryptanthus/Earth star Bromeliad care or want to share your own experiences with this interesting oddity, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. This variety would be an excellent and colorful addition to a terrarium. Description: Cryptanthus are unique in that they only grow terrestrially as opposed to many other bromeliads that can grow mounted on a substrate.Cryptanthus are commonly known as Earth Stars, a name they received because of the shape of their foliage. Cryptanthus Bivittatus is a sharp, star-shaped rosette with bursting variegation (often including but not limited to shades of green, vibrant pinks and reds). Don’t go for a container that’s too small. As should probably be clear by now, Earth star Bromeliads prefer to be kept relatively moist. General Care for Cryptanthus Warasii ‘Earth Star’ This succulent type is a unique one that blooms in the spring. While it slowly dies after flowering, you can keep it going by collecting the offset pups. Cryptanthus warasii is a rare terrestrial bromeliad that grows into a large, spiraling rosette of thin, sharply, recurved, silver leaves with sawtooth edges. Would like to see more pictures. Because Cryptanthus thrive in humidity and many varieties are lower growing, they are ideal for use in terrariums. When it comes to soil, it’s all about balance. This easy-care houseplant is in … Kudos for an interesting post. Cryptanthus Bromeliads have some rather specific care requirements, but these are not too difficult to figure out if we look at the natural growing environment. Once these clones of the mother plant have some leaves of their own, you can remove and replant them. This highly diluted solution can be used every time you water. Learn how your comment data is processed. Cryptanthus will thrive on any balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. Be sure to avoid anything that says “fast draining”! Unlike many other bromeliads, they grow in the soil. Care and Culture, Classification The Cryptanthus species and hybrids have earned the name of earth stars on account of their shape. On the other hand, if your plant does not get enough light it will begin to look light green in color. There’s a list of 6 easy terrarium plants here. The Distribution of Cryptanthus. 'Black Mystic' has nearly-black and white horizontal stripes Bromeliad Cryptanthus - Earth Star - “Starfish” - Air Purifying - Easy Care Houseplant EasyBreezyBotanicals. If there is no such location available, this plant also does well in plant terrariums. Cryptanthus root systems can grow quite large, so a relatively wide planter is recommended. Cryptanthus in their natural habitat are true terrestrials (growing in the ground) and a few are saxicolous (growing among rocks). i live in the philippines so it is tropical here. Most species are small monolayered plants with little leaf overlap; they look like twinkling stars. If your plant seems stressed and these marks appear, move your bromeliad to a spot with less direct sunlight. Areas where other houseplants are kept will also have higher humidity. MIne has flowered a few times and the rosette has not died, but new ones have formed. Keeping them in a relatively moist environment is a good idea. Hey! Low Maintenance, easy to care for, rigid leaves that blush brighter colors in full sun. They are ideal for indoor growth but can also grow well outdoors in many moderate climates. Too much direct sun can cause bleached or sunburned areas on the plant’s leaves. No need to worry, though. There are many varieties of Cryptanthus with vast differences in appearance. They can usually be controlled through manual removal or swabbing with rubbing alcohol. If you notice your Earth star(s) blooming, they will unfortunately die soon. Pups should be allowed to grow attached until they are roughly 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the mother plant after which they can be removed and potted. Required fields are marked *. They are naturally found on rainforest floors in Brazil. Sources Unlike most other Bromeliad types, these Earth stars (as the name suggests) are not epiphytic but terrestrial, meaning they grow in soil instead of attached to trees. “What is a Cryptanthus?”   Bromeliad Society of South Florida. The South East Michigan Bromeliad Society defines the following terms: Other species may be named for specific people. The first Cryptanthus species were discovered in eastern Brazil about 1831. However, there are some species of Cryptanthus that can grow as tall as three feet. Small white flowers … Cryptanthus varieties require differing amounts of lights. The earth stars – little bromeliads in the genus Cryptanthus – are just such plants that combine beauty and toughness. All Rights Reserved. Small indoor plants, they’re perfect for growing on bright tabletops — and make excellent living centerpieces for special gatherings. The leaves also are ruff and you can get scratched. Earth Star. I have heard that some “Crypts” can also be grown in an aquarium, can these? With over 1,200 different varieties, Cryptanthus have incredibly varied and beautiful foliage ranging from dark green and variegated to bright reds and pinks to silvery stripes. The wavy, star-shaped foliage of cryptanthus have low-spreading rosettes of 8-20 leaves and various species and hybrids show a rainbow of colors. Family: Bromeliaceae Subfamily: Bromelioideae Genus: Cryptanthus Description. I don’t want to kill it. Would like to see more pictures so I can see what kind I have. Gave good info. Because of their adaptations to this environment, Cryptanthus have special care considerations. They are very easy to grow and exceptionally beautiful plants. The ASPCA list Cryptanthus as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. In outdoor environments, natural predators such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps should keep mealybug and scale infestations under control. “Cryptanthus” Wikipedia If it’s the latter then you can just pot it right up into its own planter . Cryptanthus, also known as the Earth Star or Starfish bromeliad are fun little houseplants! Cryptanthus 'Ruby Star' is a spectacular cultivar with incredible, brilliant red foliage from the centre of the rosette all the way … As an added bonus, they are not too difficult to care for at all when provided with the right conditions! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cryptanthus Bromeliad Earth Star You will receive a plant similar to the plant(s) shown in the listing photos. You can also mix your own with sand, peat and perlite. Colors will vary from green to pink to ruby red. Cryptanthus Bromeliads are a rather funky looking houseplant with stiff, slightly coarse leaves. As mentioned above, Cryptanthus are adapted to survive under the cover of trees in humid climates. The canopies under which they grow, allows diffused sunlight through. Cryptanthus can survive in a wide range of temperatures but they thrive in temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Like many rainforest plants, Earth stars love soil that can maintain high moisture levels but don’t like standing in water all the time. Because they’re easy to grow, earth stars are also ideal additions to your desk at work. You should be able to find Earth stars in most normal garden and plant stores, though they might be a little difficult to spot because of the sheer amount of differently colored and shaped types available. In this video we talk all about the amazing cryptanthus, earth star bromeliad. Also known as Earth stars due to their interesting shape, they are available in countless colorful and less colorful varieties. Your email address will not be published. any tips on how to save it? Cryptanthus bromeliads are unique in that they only grow terrestrially as opposed to many other bromeliads that can grow mounted on a substrate. I’ve been hunting for this type of data for for ages now. Cryptanthus is a genus of plants found in the Bromeliaceae family. As opposed to other bromeliads that have very small root systems which only act as anchors, Cryptanthus has a more developed root system. a five or six inch pot should still provide adequate space for the plant to grow. Earth Stars will thrive when potted in a medium that maintains some moisture. Depending on the variety of Cryptanthus, the pups can be found either at the end of stolons, at a leaf axis, or at the base of the plant. This can mean anything from an actual terrarium to a cookie jar such as this one, as long as it’s able to keep moisture inside. Unlike other bromeliads that have a “cup” that holds water, red star bromeliad does not have this feature, and must be watered from the … Aquarium Crypts are a great easy plant, though, I’ve got a care guide here. Temperature Understanding the names of bromeliads can help you determine what a particular species of Cryptanthus will look like. If it’s the latter, I don’t think there’s much you can do to be honest. some of the leaves are dryed up and turning brown. There is no set watering schedule. Cryptanthus should not be under-potted. . Have you tried wiping it away to see if it’s just a layer on top of the leaves or if it’s really in there? © 2019 bromeliads.info. Cryptanthus spp. Most Cryptanthus grow close to the ground and can be as small as three inches in height. Using plastic pots will help maintain moisture. The short plant comes in a variety of shades, including red, green, and white. I ordered one online and came with what looks like a mold in the Center of the plant. Need more terrarium inspiration? Its roots can be expected to grow to at least the same width as its foliage. I am 83 years old. But each Cryptanthus bromeliad shares a few basic rules for care: They all thrive in humid environments, in temperate areas around room temperature, and grow best with fertilization. Le genre Cryptanthus appartient à la famille des Broméliacées. The first time I saw a Vicks plant (Plectranthus tomentosa) was at the Union Square greenmarket. It is important, however, to significantly dilute the solution down to a quarter of the strength recommended. Unimportant little white flowers grow among leaves. Cryptanthus bivittatus, (commonly known as Earth Star) is a small, terrestrial Bromeliad. However, care should still be taken to avoid overwatering them. It is commonly used in terrariums and novelty planters. This allows the plant to slowly soak up the water during the course of the day. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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