They need as much light as they can get to keep their colors bright, They get anywhere from2''-5' or bigger depending on species. The hobby mostly used miniature aechmea, Vrisea and Neo species. The average ones used in our hobby stay around 5''-12''. The need excelent drainaige no matter what substrate you use. If you plant it in a swamp like media it will die. They also do better when offered air circulation in a viv. When not used in a viv they can be fertilzed once a month and they do need to be watered often as the media is arid and drainage is needed.

Michael