Cryptanthus (Elaine) Earth Star | Starfish |

Planting and care

Earth Stars will thrive when potted in a medium that maintains some moisture. Sometime a healthy plant may produce pups, exact clones of the mother plant, that can be removed and then potted in their own growing medium. If kept in a pot, the pot should be wider than deeper as the roots like to grow.

Caring for Cryptanthus

• Keep the plant moist and in humid conditions.
• Mulch, when the weather becomes colder, can protect the roots during the winter.
• It can survive above 37 degrees C as long as it is kept moist by humidifiers, manually misting water.
• Avoid hot and harsh direct sunlight.
• If your plant seems stressed and bleached or sunburned marks appear then move your bromeliad to a spot with less direct sunlight.
• Look for mealybugs and scale, can usually be controlled through manual removal or swabbing with rubbing alcohol.

Harvesting

NA

Typical uses of Cryptanthus

Special features: The plant has an interesting color of foliage with bands.

Culinary use: NA

Ornamental use: The plant is highly preferred for the gardens as the foliage is beautiful.

Medicinal use: NA

References

• http://www.bromeliads.info/cryptanthus-earth-stars/
• http://stokestropicals.plants.com/Cryptanthus-Elaine-P542.aspx