Mosaic vase is a tropical, epiphytic herbaceous perennial in the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae) native to parts of Central and South America. The epithet musaica is likely the result of a typographic error. The author’s original description of the species cited the attractive mosaic-like pattern of bars and bands on the leaves. The Latin word mosaica (meaning “mosaic”) was likely intended, but the species' name cannot be changed. Mosaic vase prefers a sunny to a half-shady location in a well-drained potting mix made for orchids. It can also be grown on wood as an epiphyte. Water regularly by filling the central tank completely and allowing the overflow to trickle down into the root zone. The rosette should be kept filled with water at all times. This plant is attractive with or without flowers. The strap-like leaves are in a rosette and have beautiful spots and bars. From June to August, it has an unusual tubular inflorescence with brilliant yellow-green flowers and pink to red bracts. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: mealybugs are possible pests VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants", a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Guzmania .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Up to 20-inch leaves are in a basal rosette, overlapping to form a funnel-like central tank or vase. Simple, stiff, strap-shaped, entire. Light green, marked with irregular, horizontal dark green and reddish to brown striations. Offsets may form between the base leaves.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Unusual flowers shaped like bundles of candy corn in spikes of brilliant greenish-yellow tubular flowers with pink to red bracts from June to August.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
The fruits split by separating between the septa of adjacent carpels
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá, Venezuela
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Garden tags
#tropical herbaceous perennial #epiphytic #tropical evergreen #bromeliad #evergreen #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #container plant #greenhouse plant #terrarium #houseplant #tropical #xeriscape