Amethyst Star

It is important to water the Amethyst Star Houseplant regularly. This Bromeliad loves high humidity and doesn’t require much water. You should let the soil dry out in between waterings. When you water, make sure that you get the entire root ball soaking wet, by gently flooding the cup. Don't over water, as that can lead to rot and fungal diseases. Empty the water tray after each watering to avoid any standing water.

Amethyst Star thrives best in indirect brightness or bright, filtered light. Too much or too little light and your plant can get damaged. If your plant is getting too much direct sunlight, leaves and spots will become yellow with brown. If the plant is not receiving enough light, leaves will start to stretch out and their color will become too light. Since there are variations between the shapes and sizes of Cryptanthus bivittatus depending on the amount of light received, don't be surprised to find your leaves to be different heights.

Amethyst Star will tolerate temperatures ranging from 60°F (15°C) to 80°F (26°C). Avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C). The optimum temperature range for Amethyst Star is between 64°F (18°C) and 78°F (26°C).

Amethyst Star is a humidity-loving plant that prefers consistently high and moderate humidity. Amethyst Star is a tropical species, higher humidity helps make up for the fact that Amethyst Star likely does not have access to its natural misty environment. A humidity reading of 55% - 75% is ideal. A low humidity environment can be supplemented with an additional humidifier, or the occasional misting.

The most optimal soil for the Amethyst Star is a lightweight soil mix or a mixture of peat with a little grit for drainage. You can make your own mix by combining two parts potting soil, one part perlite, and one part peat moss.

The Amethyst Star should not be fed too often, as over fertilization can cause fertilizer burn. This can be prevented by using a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer months. Before fertilizing, it is important to make sure the soil is moist. Use a diluted solution of half the recommended strength on the fertilizer packaging. Once the Amethyst Star is actively growing, you can switch to fertilizer for flowering plants to help encourage the production of its stunning pinkish flowers.

A common pest that can attack houseplants such as the Amethyst Star is the mealy bug. These small, soft-bodied, white cylindrical insects feed off the sap from the stems and leaves of the plant. To remedy an infestation, you can pick off mealy bugs with tweezers and destroy them, or spray a safe chemical on the affected area, such as diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap. With diligence, these pests will be under control in no time.

The Amethyst Star should generally only be repotted every few years. If it is root-bound, just loosening the roots and replanting in the same pot can help. When you decide to repot, make sure to use a lightweight soil mix that has good drainage. Be very gentle when repotting, as you don't want to damage the delicate roots.

Pruning is often done to remove discolored or dying growth, as well as encourage new growth. With the Amethyst Star, pruning should take place in the spring, as this is the active growing season. When pruning, you should use sharp, sterilized pruning shears. Afterwards, you can use the pruned pieces to propagate more plants.

Mulching the soil around the Amethyst Star can be beneficial, as it retains water for a longer period of time. You can use any organic mulch material, such as Cocoa Husks, leaf mulch, or garden compost.

New Amethyst Star plants can be propagated from either seed or offsets. To propagate from offsets, gently pull apart the offsets from the plant and place them in slightly damp seedling mix. Water lightly and keep in a warm location with indirect light. The offsets will begin to develop their own roots in several weeks.

The Amethyst Star does not require much support, as it is a relatively small and low-growing plant. However, you may occasionally want to support it with a stake if it begins to lean.

Amethyst Star normally goes into a period of dormancy from late fall to early spring. During this time it requires less water and should be allowed to go slightly dry. The amount of light it needs during this period should be reduced as well, and it should be placed in a cooler area.

The Amethyst Star is not toxic to pets, so it can be safely kept in areas accessible to cats and dogs.