Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tender Perennial
  
Epiphyte
  
Origin
North America, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, Caribbean, Central America, South America
  
Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Brazil
  
Types
Cryptanthus 'Absolute Zero'
Cryptanthus 'Agate'
Cryptanthus 'Alberta'
Cryptanthus 'Alpine Frost'
  
Diothonea, Auliza
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Lowland evergreen rainforest, Rainforest, Shaded sites, Wild
  
Forests, Subtropical climates, Terrestrial, Tropical regions, Wet lands
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
Not Available
  
11-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
Not Available
  
12-9
  
Sunset Zone
Not Available
  
H1, H2
  
Habit
Not Available
  
Clump-Forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Minimum Height
Not Available
  
Minimum Width
Not Available
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Not Available
  
White, Light Green, Ivory
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Not Available
  
Non Fruiting Plant
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Not Available
  
Green, Light Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Not Available
  
Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Not Available
  
Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
  
Green, Dark Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Linear
  
Linear
  
Thorns
Not Available
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Not Available
  
Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Not Available
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
The pH of Soil
Not Available
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Not Available
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Not Available
  
Early Spring, Fall, Winter, Indeterminate
  
Repeat Bloomer
Not Available
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Cold climate, Humidity
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Container, Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Cuttings, Leaf Cutting, Seedlings
  
Divison, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do not water excessively, Keep the Soil well drained
  
Average Water Needs, Requires regular watering, Water more in summer
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Ample Water
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Ample Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Not Available
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Not Available
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Not Available
  
Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Pinch or prune as they grow to promote branching and bushiness, Pinching, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Fertilizers
Does not require fertilizer once established
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, light feeding and water solubles, Water soluble fertilizers
  
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
  
Aphids, Leaf spot, Mealybugs, Rust, Spider mites, Viruses, Whiteflies
  
Plant Tolerance
Variety of soil types
  
Cold climate, Humidity
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Not Available
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
Not Available
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Not Available
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
Not Available
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
Not Available
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Not Available
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Not Available
  
No
  
Showy Bark
Not Available
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Not Available
  
Coarse
  
Foliage Sheen
Not Available
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Not Available
  
No
  
Attracts
Ladybug beetles, Mealybugs, Scale Insects
  
Bees, Insects, Mealybugs, Spider Mites
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
Asthma
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Borders, Decorating walls, Ground Cover
  
Beautification, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
No Medicinal Use
  
Part of Plant Used
Not Available
  
Flowers
  
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant, useful as a ground cover
  
Air freshner, Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Not Available
  
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
  
Botanical Name
CRYPTANTHUS
  
EPIDENDRUM ciliare
  
Common Name
Cryptanthus, Earth Star
  
Epidendrum, Fringed Star Orchid
  
In Hindi
Earth Star
  
Epidendrum
  
In German
Erdstern
  
Epidendrum
  
In French
Terre étoile
  
Epidendrum
  
In Spanish
estrella de la tierra
  
Epidendrum
  
In Greek
γη αστεριών
  
Epidendrum
  
In Portuguese
Estrela da terra
  
Epidendrum
  
In Polish
Gwiazda ziemi
  
Epidendrum
  
In Latin
terra, stella
  
Epidendrum
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Tracheophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Liliopsida
  
Not Available
  
Order
Bromeliales
  
Asparagales
  
Family
Bromeliaceae
  
Orchidaceae
  
Genus
Cryptanthus
  
Coilostylis
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
  
Angiosperms, Monocots
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Epidendreae
  
Subfamily
Bromelioideae
  
Epidendroideae