Description Bromeliad 'Donna' Care Guide FAQ/Common Issues Bromeliad 'Donna' (Neoregelia 'Donna') is a tropical bromeliad in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the rainforests of South America. It grows as an epiphyte in the wild, anchoring itself to trees and absorbing moisture and nutrients through its leaves and central cup. The leaves are broad, strap-shaped, and arranged in a low, flat rosette that spreads outward from a central water-holding cup. The foliage is green with burgundy-red blushing toward the center, intensifying under bright indirect light. Leaf edges carry fine serrations, and the overall rosette can span up to 12 inches across. Small flowers emerge from the central cup, sitting close to the base of the rosette rather than rising on a tall spike. The blooms are typically lavender to purple and appear once in the plant's life cycle, after which the mother plant produces offshoots called pups. 'Donna' is a neoregelia bromeliad, and like others in the genus, it releases oxygen at night and filters formaldehyde and other airborne toxins from indoor air. It grows well in a terrarium, where the enclosed environment holds the high humidity it needs. You can also set it near a kitchen or bathroom, where ambient moisture keeps it comfortable. Move it outside for the summer months, placing it in a shaded or dappled spot. This plant is pet friendly, and you can leave it up to ten days without watering. Bromeliad 'Donna' grows best in bright indirect light, away from south-facing windows where direct sun scorches the leaves. Water it every ten to fourteen days, filling the central cup and letting the potting medium dry between waterings. 'Donna' does best in a fast-draining mix of orchid bark, perlite, and a small amount of peat or coco coir. It prefers temperatures between 60°F and 85°F and is sensitive to cold drafts from air conditioning vents or heating units placed nearby. 'Donna' is a slow to moderate grower, reaching up to 12 inches wide at maturity, and needs only a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer two or three times a year during the growing season. It is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12, where frost is rare or absent, and cannot tolerate temperatures below 50°F outdoors. It grows outdoors year-round in southern Florida, Hawaii, and parts of southern California and southern Texas. It also thrives outdoors seasonally in Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia, and other warm southern states during frost-free months. Q: Where should I place Bromeliad 'Donna' in my home? A: Keep it a few feet back from an east- or west-facing window. South-facing windows produce direct sun that scorches the leaves. Q: How do I know if it is getting too much water? A: Bromeliad 'Donna' shows soft, mushy leaf bases and a foul smell from the central cup when the roots have been sitting in excess moisture too long. Q: Is 'Donna' safe for cats and dogs? A: Yes, it is non-toxic and pet friendly. You can keep it anywhere in the home without concern for cats or dogs. Q: Can this plant grow under office lighting? A: 'Donna' grows well under office LED or fluorescent lighting, as long as the lights run for at least eight hours a day. Q: Can 'Donna' handle dry indoor air from heating or AC? A: It is sensitive to dry air from heating and cooling units. Positioning it away from direct vent airflow and near a source of ambient moisture, like a kitchen or bathroom, helps it stay comfortable. Q: How big does this plant get? A: 'Donna' spreads to about 12 inches wide at full maturity and stays low to the surface it sits on, with no significant upward height.
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