Billbergia nutans, commonly known as the Queen’s Tears, is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. It thrives in humid forests, growing on trees or rocky outcrops. Its slender rosettes hold water, supporting small fauna, while its hanging pink bracts and blue-green flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators.
| KEY PLANT INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Plant Type: | Bromeliad |
| Plant Colours: | Green / Pink / red |
| Flowering period: | Late summer – Early autumn |
| Mature Height: | 100cm / 2ft |
| Light Requirements: | Part shade – Full sun |
| Water Requirements: | Low |
| Cold Hardiness: | Hardy to 5⁰C / 43ºF |
| Difficult: | Easy |
Plant Type
Terrestrial Bromeliad
Billbergia nutans, known as Queen’s Tears, is an epiphytic bromeliad forming upright rosettes of narrow, arching leaves. It produces cascading flower spikes with pink bracts and blue-edged green petals. Adapted to both pot culture and mounting, it’s valued for its striking blooms, resilience, and ability to thrive with minimal care.
Mature Height
45cm / 18 inches
Billbergia nutans typically reaches a mature height of about 30 to 45 centimeters (12 to 18 inches), with its flower spike extending slightly higher when in bloom. Its slender, arching leaves form a graceful rosette, while the drooping inflorescence adds vertical elegance without overwhelming its compact, space-efficient overall form.
Light Requirements
Partial shade – Full sun
This bromeliad prefers bright, indirect light to partial sun. Indoors, it thrives near an east or west-facing window; outdoors, it benefits from dappled shade beneath trees. Too little light reduces flowering, while intense, direct sun can scorch its leaves. Filtered sunlight encourages compact growth and vibrant leaf coloration.
Water Requirements
Drought tolerant
Billbergia nutans stores water in its central rosette, mimicking rain collection in its natural habitat. Keep the cup filled with fresh water and flush it weekly to prevent stagnation. The soil or mounting medium should stay lightly moist but well-drained. Reduce watering during cooler months to prevent rot.
Cold Hardiness
Hardy to 5⁰C / 43⁰F
Billbergia nutans tolerates mild cold but is not frost-hardy. It thrives in temperatures between 43°F (5°C). Brief exposure to cooler weather is acceptable, but freezing damages foliage and roots. In temperate regions, it should be grown indoors or moved to shelter during winter to ensure continued health.
