Neoregelia is the largest of any bromeliad genus and most superbly coloured of all, known for their showy and diverse foliage colours and patterns. The rosettes are usually spreading and flat although some are vase-shaped. The flowers barely rise above the water in the central cup. Some neoregelia species and hybrids are green when they start out as pups and almost all rely on a bright light to achieve brilliant colours.

In today’s cultivars, the leaves are spotted, mottled, banded, albo-marginated or variegated, even when young. Sizes range from miniatures about 1 inch tall to landscape monsters over 40 inches wide.  As bromeliads are getting more popular, more terrarium/vivarium hobbyists are incorporating the miniature species and hybrids in their tanks, creating beautiful natural environments for their animals.