Cold hardiness & minimum temperature

Is Scarlet Star Bromeliad (Guzmania lingulata)cold hardy? Hardiness zone & min temp

Also called Scarlet Star, Scarlet Star Bromeliad, Vase Plant, Orange Star.

More about scarlet star bromeliad

About Scarlet Star Bromeliad

Guzmania lingulata · also called Scarlet Star, Scarlet Star Bromeliad · tropical

Guzmania lingulata is an epiphytic bromeliad native to the tropical forests of Central and South America and the Caribbean, grown worldwide as a popular indoor plant for its long-lasting, vivid scarlet (or orange or yellow) flower bracts that sit above a rosette of glossy, strap-shaped leaves. It grows naturally as an epiphyte on tree branches, so its roots need excellent drainage and airflow rather than waterlogged compost. The single most important care fact is to keep the central leaf 'urn' filled with fresh water at all times while keeping the potting mix barely moist — not wet. According to the ASPCA, Guzmania lingulata is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Cold limit: USDA 10-12 (indoor in most climates) · RHS H1a (15–30 °C)

What scarlet star bromeliad's hardiness rating actually means

Scarlet Star Bromeliad is not cold hardy. It is a tropical houseplant that dies if it is left out through frost — there is no zone where it overwinters outdoors in a UK or cold-US climate. Its RHS rating of H1a means: Tropical — needs a heated room or greenhouse; no frost tolerance whatsoever. On the US scale that maps to USDA 10-12 (indoor in most climates) — the zones where it can be left outdoors year-round.

New to these scales? The USDA hardiness zone map explained covers how the zone numbers work, and you can find your own zone with the zone finder.

Minimum temperature — and what happens below it

Minimum survivable temperature is roughly above about 15 °C (warm, never cold). Scarlet Star Bromeliad has no frost tolerance at all — it is an indoor plant in any climate with a real winter.

Concretely, for scarlet star bromeliad as it gets too cold:

Below about above about 15 °C, growth stalls and the leaves start to show cold stress — dark, water-soaked, or yellowing patches.
A single light frost blackens the foliage; a hard freeze kills the whole plant, roots included, and it does not recover.
Even a cold, draughty windowsill or an unheated porch in winter can be enough to damage it permanently.

Can scarlet star bromeliad go outside or overwinter — and where?

It can holiday outdoors in summer once nights are reliably above above 15 °C, in shade or dappled light, hardened off gradually.
Bring it back indoors well before the first autumn frost — do not wait for a frost warning, move it when nights drop toward 10-12 °C.
It will never overwinter outside in a temperate climate; the indoors is its winter home, full stop.

Work back from your local frost dates with the frost-date calculator: the last spring frost and first autumn frost are what really decide when scarlet star bromeliad can be outside. US growers can check USDA zones; UK growers should use the RHS hardiness ratings, which match the H1a figure above.

Scarlet Star Bromeliad hardiness — frequently asked questions

Is scarlet star bromeliad cold hardy?

Scarlet Star Bromeliad is not cold hardy. It is a tropical houseplant that dies if it is left out through frost — there is no zone where it overwinters outdoors in a UK or cold-US climate. Indoor-only in almost every home. Scarlet Star Bromeliad can only live outside year-round in genuinely frost-free climates (roughly USDA 10-12 (indoor in most climates)); everywhere else it is a houseplant that summers out at most.

What is the minimum temperature scarlet star bromeliad can survive?

Minimum survivable temperature is roughly above about 15 °C (warm, never cold). Scarlet Star Bromeliad has no frost tolerance at all — it is an indoor plant in any climate with a real winter.

What hardiness zone is scarlet star bromeliad?

Scarlet Star Bromeliad is rated USDA 10-12 (indoor in most climates) and RHS H1a — Tropical — needs a heated room or greenhouse; no frost tolerance whatsoever.

Can scarlet star bromeliad survive winter outside?

It can holiday outdoors in summer once nights are reliably above above 15 °C, in shade or dappled light, hardened off gradually. Bring it back indoors well before the first autumn frost — do not wait for a frost warning, move it when nights drop toward 10-12 °C. It will never overwinter outside in a temperate climate; the indoors is its winter home, full stop.

What happens to scarlet star bromeliad below its minimum temperature?

Below about above about 15 °C, growth stalls and the leaves start to show cold stress — dark, water-soaked, or yellowing patches. A single light frost blackens the foliage; a hard freeze kills the whole plant, roots included, and it does not recover. Even a cold, draughty windowsill or an unheated porch in winter can be enough to damage it permanently.