{"product_id":"earth-star-4-pot","title":"Earth Star - 4\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eCryptanthus bivittatus, the Earth Star, is a small, terrestrial bromeliad that hugs the ground in flat, star-shaped rosettes of wavy-edged leaves boldly striped in green, cream, pink and red. Unlike most bromeliads it grows in soil rather than holding water in a cup, and its colours intensify in bright light. Compact and slow-growing, it is perfect for terrariums, dish gardens, shallow pots and shaded rockeries. The tiny white flowers are insignificant; the foliage is the whole show. It is easy-going, pet-safe and readily produces pups around its base.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBromeliaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWavy star rosette striped pink, red, green\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall white flowers (insignificant)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOccasional, minor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright indirect light deepens colour; no harsh sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep soil lightly moist; no central cup to fill.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight, well-draining, slightly acidic mix.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18-30C; keep above 13C.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high; ideal for terrariums.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery dilute feed occasionally in growth.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRemove dry or damaged outer leaves.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShallow pot; repot only when crowded.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeparate offsets from base.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMealybugs, scale; treat with neem.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-toxic to pets and humans.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal for terrariums, dish gardens, fairy gardens and as a colourful groundcover in shaded tropical beds and shallow pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn India grow it in bright shade for the richest pink-and-red striping and use a free-draining mix since, unlike cup bromeliads, it dislikes waterlogged soil; perfect for humid terrariums in dry climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I water an Earth Star?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnlike cup bromeliads, water the soil directly, keeping it lightly moist but never soggy. Let the top layer dry slightly between waterings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBright, indirect light brings out the strongest pink and red striping. Avoid harsh direct sun, which can bleach or burn the leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs the Earth Star safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, Cryptanthus bivittatus is non-toxic to cats, dogs and humans, making it a safe choice for pet households.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a terrarium?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. Its compact size and love of humidity make it one of the best bromeliads for terrariums and dish gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I repot it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse a shallow pot and repot only when the rosette becomes crowded with offsets, using a light, well-draining slightly acidic mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt produces offsets around the base. Gently separate a rooted offset and pot it in a free-draining mix to grow a new plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the colours fading?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaded striping usually means too little light. Move it to a brighter, indirectly lit spot to restore the vivid pink and red tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it have a central water cup?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, the Earth Star is terrestrial and does not hold water in its centre, so water the soil rather than the rosette.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs it toxic to humans?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, it is non-toxic to people and pets, though as an ornamental it is not meant to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I fertilize?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed sparingly with a very dilute liquid fertilizer occasionally during the growing season; it needs minimal feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256114249974,"sku":"PLT-EARTHSTAR-P04-NA","price":199.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-cryptanthus-bivittatus-plant.jpg?v=1783921301","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/earth-star-4-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}