Bromeliads for a small tank

[dmallia]

Does anyone know the names or where I can find the names of bromeliads that stay small? I know that there are species of Cryptanthus (novastar, red star, rosens, sinosus) but I don't know species of Neoregelia or what other species that would be good in a 18x18x18 vivarium. Thanks.

[deranged chipmunk]

I'm no expert on broms, in fact, I really dislike them (lol), but I do believe a majority of the neos grow to roughly the same size, about 12-14" across. The names are just basically the cultivars. Just choose one or two you like and go for it

[Tongue Flicker]

Crypts are nice but be careful with some species and cultivars like zonatus, fosterianus, trifasciata and 'red star/pink star'. If they don't get enough light exposure coupled with too much moisture they can grow straight up leaves that can reach 11" long as with what happened to my fosterianus & pink star.

Tillandsia would be your next best bet for small growing bromeliads. Species like T.setacea, xerographica, 'rosita', fasciculata, argentea, bella grow quite manageable (usually under 9" diameter/across).

There is also this very common bromeliad that produces branching bases that is like 3 inches high and 3.5" across (forgot what it was called probably an Aechmea gamosepala cultivar) that would probably work with your enclosure size

[BonnieLorraine]

There are tons of mini Neoregelias that would work well in your tank size around 4"-6", some of the more common ones are lilliputiana, some lilliputiana crosses, 'Dartanion', 'Midget', 'Babe', some ampullacea cultivars and crosses, Aechmea organensis and a few other smaller Aechmeas (can look names up if you like, most are green with some purple), and if you do Cryptanthus stick to the mini's as well, quite a few can reach 20" across, some good mini's are acaulis, variegated acaulis, Novistar, Black Mystic, and I'd have to check the shade house for the names of the others. I have over 140 kinds of broms in my two large shade houses, so if you ever have any questions feel free to ask

[flybyferns]

There are tons of mini Neoregelias that would work well in your tank size around 4"-6", some of the more common ones are lilliputiana, some lilliputiana crosses, 'Dartanion', 'Midget', 'Babe', some ampullacea cultivars and crosses, Aechmea organensis and a few other smaller Aechmeas (can look names up if you like, most are green with some purple), and if you do Cryptanthus stick to the mini's as well, quite a few can reach 20" across, some good mini's are acaulis, variegated acaulis, Novistar, Black Mystic, and I'd have to check the shade house for the names of the others. I have over 140 kinds of broms in my two large shade houses, so if you ever have any questions feel free to ask

Thank You, for posting.
This is a great, detailed, informative post in 2 sentences

We have been thinking about adding an additional "Frog Forum Member-- Plant Album" on the FF Facebook page.
It would be great to see some new photos
Don't forget to 'watermark' them.

Keep us posted

Lynn

[dmallia]

Thanks for all the replies.