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Products > Billbergia nutans   Billbergia nutans - Queen's Tears    [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Succulent Family: Bromeliaceae (Bromeliads) Origin: Brazil (South America) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Green & Blue Bloomtime: Spring Height: 1-2 feet Width: 1-2 feet Exposure: Shade Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F Billbergia nutans (Queen's Tears) - A vigorous bromeliad that is easy to grow and will readily form clumps of upright bronzy-green rosettes. The 2 feet tall rosettes hold one foot long slender leaves that have small teeth along the margins. Arching flower stalks carry pink bracts and flowers that have chartreuse green petals edged with royal-blue. Plant in shade in a well-drained organic rich soil and water occasionally - for an epiphytic bromeliad this plant is surprisingly drought tolerant and can often be found surviving in abandoned gardens. It is reliably hardy to 30-32 degrees F but able to tolerate short duration temperatures much lower - this plant was only slightly damaged in our historic 1990 freeze at 18 degrees F. This plant is native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina where it grows both as an epiphyte in low trees and as a terrestrial on the forest floor from 2,300 to 3,000 feet elevation. Though commonly called "Queens Tear's" for the ornate hanging flowers, another common name is "Friendship Plant" which is attributed to this plant multiplying readily and propagating so easily that it is often passed between friends. The genus Billbergia was named to honor Gustave Johan Billberg (1772-1844), a well known botanist and author of the Flora of Sweden. The image on this page courtesy of Billy Goodnick.  This description of this plant is based on our research and our observations of it growing at the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We always appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or have additional cultural tips that would aid others growing Billbergia nutans .     [MORE INFO]