Cryptanthus bivittatus aka Earth Star
Taxonomy
Cryptanthus bivittatus, commonly known as Earth Star, is a small, terrestrial species of plant in the Bromeliaceae family. Reaching a height of only 6-8 inches and preferring moderate or diffuse light, it is widely used in terrariums and novelty planters. The cultivar 'Pink Starlite' has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The Earth Star is native to Brazil and has lovely star like shape made of stemless rosettes of leaves, with each leaf possessing tiny teeth or thorns along their wavy margins. It produces ten to twenty leaves which taper to a point at the end, creating its star shape. Its leaves are usually striped in both ivory tones and various shades of red and pink. It is a moderately slow grower, and will only grow to about 6" tall and 15" wide.
Common names
Earth Star, Pink Starlite, Pink StarfishHow to care for Earth Star
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Earth Star is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Earth Star does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.
Soil
Earth Star loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Earth Star prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Earth Star is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
Humidity
Earth Star plants thrive in dry environments, however, if you choose to provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on the leaves can create an ideal environment for certain types of harmful fungi.
Fertilizer
The Earth Star grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.
Region of origin
Earth Star’s native range is Brazil.
Flower
Yes, if you provide your Earth Star with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.
More info:
Wikipedia
