The brilliant colors of red, white and green will attract you to this plant. This plant is an epiphyte and is adapted to growing on the trees and rocks of the tropical jungles of South America. This vase shaped plant with distinctive cream and green striped leaves form a vase shape from which the flower spike emerges. Small white flowers are surrounded by large showy bright reddish-orange bracts.

Unlike most bromeliads, Ice Cream Guzmania can tolerate shaded conditions without losing the distinctive leaf coloration and in fact requires protection from direct sun. Being an epiphyte, this plant is very sensitive to soil moisture and overwatering will rot the delicate roots. It is also extremely sensitive to temperature and humidity, requiring warm days and nights and high humidity. It is not hardy in Chicago; bring indoors before the first frost.