Stephen Albert
Nidularium is a genus in the bromeliad family, valued for its rosette-forming leaves and the bright, eye-catching central bracts that resemble a bird’s nest, which is where the name “nidularium” (derived from the Latin word nidulus, meaning “nest”) comes from. These tropical plants are native to the rainforests of Brazil and are appreciated for their vibrant colors, adaptability, and low maintenance, making them great choices for both outdoor gardens in warmer climates and indoor houseplants.
Nidulariums are a terrestrial or epiphytic bromeliads. They produce rosettes of spiny-edged leaves; in the center of the plant, brilliant, red, bract-like leaves form a smaller rosette-like nest–thus the common name bird’s nest plants.
Nidularium has dense, spreading, prickly-margined leaves that form a basal rosette that collects water. When the plant is about to flower, the base of the leaves near the center of the rosette turns color, usually rose-red to dark red.
Flowers are surrounded by colorful bracts that grow in small clusters near the center of the plant. Nidularium may bloom at any time of year.
Nidularium is a genus of 45 species native to rainforests in Brazil.
Nidularium Description
- Foliage: Nidularium plants form a rosette of smooth, glossy leaves that are typically green but can sometimes be streaked with purples or reds. The leaves often have a slightly softer texture than other bromeliads, and they can grow in a range of sizes depending on the species or variety.
- Bracts and Flowers: The most distinctive feature of Nidularium is its bright, colorful bracts, which emerge from the center of the rosette, often in shades of red, pink, or purple. These bracts surround small, less noticeable flowers. While the actual flowers are short-lived, the colorful bracts can last for several months.
- Growth Habit: Nidularium tends to grow in a compact, spreading habit, making it ideal for ground cover in tropical gardens or for smaller spaces when grown as a houseplant.
Nidularium Uses in the Garden
- Tropical and Subtropical Gardens: In USDA Zones 9-11, Nidularium can be used as an outdoor ornamental plant, thriving in humid, shaded or semi-shaded areas. Its rosette shape and colorful bracts make it perfect for adding splashes of color to shady garden areas, where many flowering plants may struggle.
- Ground Cover: Due to their relatively low-growing, spreading nature, Nidulariums make excellent ground cover in tropical gardens. They can be planted in mass groupings to create a lush, colorful carpet of foliage and blooms.
- Container Planting: Nidularium performs well in containers, making it versatile for patios, balconies, or around garden paths. It can be mixed with other bromeliads or tropical plants to create rich textural and color contrasts.
Nidularium Uses as a Houseplant
- Indoor Decor: Nidulariums are well-suited to indoor environments due to their tolerance for lower light levels and their striking, long-lasting bracts. Their compact size and colorful appearance make them ideal for table displays, shelves, or as part of larger indoor plant arrangements.
- Shade Tolerant: As a plant that thrives in indirect or low light, Nidularium is perfect for indoor areas that don’t receive a lot of sunlight, such as office spaces, living rooms, or bedrooms.
- Low Maintenance: Like other bromeliads, Nidularium is relatively easy to care for. It requires occasional watering in its central “cup” and prefers a humid environment, though it can adapt to typical household humidity levels.
- Terrariums and Dish Gardens: Due to its compact size and humidity requirements, Nidularium works well in enclosed spaces like terrariums or dish gardens, where the humidity can be maintained, and its bright colors can be showcased.
Nidularium Care Tips
- Light: Nidularium prefers indirect or filtered light, much like the dappled sunlight it would receive in its native rainforest. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so it’s best to place it in a well-lit but shaded area indoors.
- Watering: Water should be added to the central rosette or “cup” of the plant, as this is how it absorbs moisture. Make sure to keep this central cup filled but avoid overwatering the soil, as Nidularium’s roots are shallow and don’t require a lot of moisture.
- Temperature and Humidity: Nidularium thrives in warm, humid environments, typically between 65-80°F (18-27°C). If growing it indoors, misting the plant occasionally or using a humidifier can help replicate its natural tropical environment.
- Soil and Fertilization: Like many bromeliads, Nidularium can grow in well-draining potting mixes designed for orchids or bromeliads. It doesn’t require much fertilizer; a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer applied sparingly during the growing season is usually sufficient.
Nidularium Styling Ideas
- Group Plantings: When used as a houseplant, Nidularium looks fantastic when grouped with other bromeliads or tropical plants like ferns, palms, or orchids. Its bold bracts can contrast nicely with the greener or more delicate foliage of companion plants.
- Mounting: Nidularium can also be mounted on wood or other decorative structures, similar to air plants, as its shallow roots do not require deep pots. This creates a more natural, vertical display that mimics the plant’s natural epiphytic growth in the wild.
- Mixed Containers: When placed in mixed containers with other bromeliads or colorful foliage plants, Nidularium provides visual interest and depth. Its bright central bracts make it a standout piece in any arrangement.
Nidularium Outdoor/Indoor Adaptability
Nidularium can easily transition between outdoor and indoor environments, making it a flexible option for gardeners in warm climates who may want to bring their plants indoors during cooler seasons. Indoors, it adds a touch of tropical flair to any room, while outdoors, it can brighten shaded garden corners or act as an accent in more extensive tropical plantings.
Get to know Nidularium
- Plant type: Epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliads
- Growing zones and range: Zones 14-15; must be grown indoors when temperatures fall below 54°F (12°C).
- Optimal growing temperature: 55° to 85°F (13° to 29°C)
- Height and width: 8 to 16 inches (20-40cm) tall, 20 to 30 inches (20-75cm) wide
- Foliage: Narrow to broadly strap-shaped toothed leaves
- Flowers: Tubular flowers appears on a short, upright stem; flowers are nestled in a cluster of larger bracts, resembling a bird’s nest
- Bloom time: Any time of the year.
- Uses: Houseplant, tropical garden
- Common name: Bird’s nest plant
- Botanical name: Nidularium
- Family name: Bromeliaceae
- Origin: Brazil
Where to plant Nidularium
- Light indoors: Bright, filtered sun from eastern or western exposure. Will tolerate low light. Air circulation is important.
- Light outdoors: Grow Nidularium in partial shade.
- Soil indoors: Grow Nidularium in pots using epiphytic bromeliad mix.
- Soil outdoors: Grow Nidularium outdoors in a gritty, moderately fertile, leafy soil.
When to plant Nidularium
- Set Nidularium outdoors in a tropical or subtropical garden at any time of the year.
Planting and spacing Nidularium
- Space Nidularium 20 to 30 inches (20-75cm) apart.
How to water and feed Nidularium
- Water: Water Nidularium freely duirng the growing season. Keep the growing medium moist, not soggy. Keep fresh water in plant’s leaf cup. Mist often. Humidity, 45% to 60%.
- Feeding: Feed Nidularium monthly, with mild liquid fertilizer. Avoid oil-based products such as fish emulsion. Spray on leaves, add to water in cup, or apply to growing medium; never feed a dry plant.
Nidularium care
- Nidularium growth slows in winter, reduce water. Keep the medium just moist.
Growing Nidularium as a houseplant
- Nidularium fulgens can be grown as a houseplant.
- Grow Nidularium where the temperature is warm, light is bright and humidity is low.
- Grow plants in a rich, coarse, soilless medium, and keep the medium evenly moist at all times.
- Make sure that there is always water in the cup at the base of the plant.
- Fertilize every month with quarter-strength liquid fertilizer.
Nidularium pests and diseases
- Nidularium is susceptible to scale insect.
Nidularium propagation
- Sow seeds when ripe in very warm soil.
- Separate and replant offsets in spring or summer.
Nidularium varieties to grow
- Nidularium billbergioides.12 inch (30cm) long, pale green leaves, often paler in center and marked with brown spots; bracts are pale pink to yellow, with white flowers.
- N. fulgens, also sold as N. regelioides, blushing bromeliad. Grows 16 inches (40cm) tall and 24 inches (60cm) wide; produces 12-inch long, light green leaves with dark green spots; scarlet bracts encircle white flowers.
- N. innocentii var. innocentii. 12 inch (30cm) long, two-tone leaves with dark red undersides and green tops; flower bracts are red with green tips, flowers are white.
- N. innocentiI var. lineatum has lengthwise white markings on leaves; green bracts have red tips.
- N. procerum. Grows 8 to 12 inches tall and 30 inches wide; waxy, pale green leaves are finely toothed; bears as many as 30 tubular, blue-tipped vermilion flowers among clusters of red bracts.
- N. rutilans. Grows 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide; strap-shaped bright green leaves; bright red bracts surround clusters of tubular red flowers.
- N. scheremetiewii. Blue flowers appear atop short-stalked red bracts; light green leaves with short spines on edges.
