Cryptanthus bivittatus 9cm Hot Pink Plants GrowTropicals
Cryptanthus bivittatus — 5.5cm / Hot Pink
Earth Star Bromeliad

Cryptanthus bivittatus

£4.99
Pet-safe
Pot size

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

Complete the set up
Terrarium Premium Substrate (ABG Mix)
The perfect soil Terrarium Premium Substrate (ABG Mix) · 2.5L · £5.99
Description

The earth star, Cryptanthus bivittatus, lays its rosettes flat against the soil like a botanical compass rose. Strappy, wavy-edged leaves are striped in greens, bronzes, and warm pinks that intensify in brighter light, and the overall form is low, clumping, and quietly spectacular. A brilliant choice for a terrarium, shallow bowl, or shady spot in a grouped tropical display. Low-growing, easy-going, and generous with its offsets.

Origins
Cryptanthus bivittatus is native to the Atlantic rainforests of eastern Brazil, where it grows as a terrestrial bromeliad on shaded forest floors among leaf litter, in warm, consistently humid conditions.

Soil and Substrate
Pot into our Simply Terrarium Potting Mix, an airy, free-draining home that suits its shallow roots.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

Find out more

Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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7 day live arrival guarantee
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How to care for Earth Star Bromeliad

Keep me in bright, gentle light away from harsh sun and never let me dry out completely.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Get to know me

About Earth Star Bromeliad

Cryptanthus bivittatus is a houseplant that takes a little effort. It needs bright indirect light, watering often enough to keep the compost evenly moist, a little extra humidity and a minimum temperature of 7°C. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Good for

Living Room Kitchen Bathroom

Care level

EasyChallenge

A little effort

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, indirect light

Bromeliads grow best in bright, indirect light. A position near a window with filtered light is ideal. Guzmania tends to tolerate lower light conditions better, while Aechmea can handle slightly brighter light. However, strong direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can scorch the leaves, while very low light may lead to poor growth and a lack of flowering. Read moreShow less

Bromeliads grow best in bright, indirect light. A position near a window with filtered light is ideal. Guzmania tends to tolerate lower light conditions better, while Aechmea can handle slightly brighter light. However, strong direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can scorch the leaves, while very low light may lead to poor growth and a lack of flowering.

Learn more →

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Keep evenly moist

When it comes to watering, you should keep the central cup partially filled with water and refresh it every one to two weeks to prevent stagnation and rot. It is best to use rainwater or filtered water, as bromeliads can be sensitive to the minerals found in tap water. The soil should be watered lightly and only when it has mostly dried out, as the roots do not like to sit in consistently wet conditions. In cooler or lower-light environments, you should allow the cup to dry out more between refills to reduce the risk of rot. Read moreShow less

When it comes to watering, you should keep the central cup partially filled with water and refresh it every one to two weeks to prevent stagnation and rot. It is best to use rainwater or filtered water, as bromeliads can be sensitive to the minerals found in tap water. The soil should be watered lightly and only when it has mostly dried out, as the roots do not like to sit in consistently wet conditions. In cooler or lower-light environments, you should allow the cup to dry out more between refills to reduce the risk of rot.

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Prefers a little extra humidity

Bromeliads prefer moderate humidity, ideally between 50 and 70 percent, but many types will tolerate average indoor humidity levels in the UK. Varieties such as Aechmea are particularly adaptable. Read moreShow less

Bromeliads prefer moderate humidity, ideally between 50 and 70 percent, but many types will tolerate average indoor humidity levels in the UK. Varieties such as Aechmea are particularly adaptable.

Temperature

Keep above 7°C · Tolerates a cool room

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Growth habit

Rosette →Clumping →

Plant type

Foliage houseplant →

Toxicity

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Plants still are not food, so a determined chewer may get an upset stomach.

Also known as

Cryptanthus bivittatus

Genus

Cryptanthus →
More on caring for houseplants What does bright indirect light mean?
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

How variegated will my plant be?

Variegation is one of the things that makes each plant truly one of a kind, and it's also one of the hardest things to guarantee. Every variegated plant is unique, and the amount, pattern, and intensity of variegation will vary from plant to plant, leaf to leaf, and even season to season.

The photos on our site are representative of the variety and we do our best to pick out the most representative plant of the bunch, but your plant may have more or less variegation than what's pictured. That's not a fault, it's the nature of how variegation works. It's influenced by light, genetics, and growing conditions, and it will continue to change as your plant grows in your home.

A few things worth knowing: bright, indirect light tends to encourage stronger variegation. Too little light and your plant may push out more green leaves to compensate. Too much direct sun and you risk scorching the paler sections, which have less chlorophyll to protect them. Finding the right balance for your space is part of the journey.

Can this plant grow in a terrarium?

Yes, an enclosed environment provides the consistent humidity and warmth they enjoy in the wild. Before choosing a plant, consider the size of your terrarium and how large the species will grow at maturity. Avoid fast-growing climbers or plants that need strong airflow, as these can quickly outgrow or struggle in a sealed setup. If you are unsure whether a specific plant suits your terrarium, feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to advise.

Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

Verified reviews

Rated by real customers

Customers praised this vibrant plant for its "gorgeous colour" and bright appearance. Reviews highlight excellent packaging and fast delivery. The plant has a unique prickly texture rather than soft. Shoppers appreciated the seller's care regarding safe delivery timing and cold protection. Plants arrived healthy and thriving in terrariums.

  • Beautiful plant, exactly as shown in the picture, now happy in my terrarium.
  • Arrived wrapped up, healthy and is thriving
  • Unusual, you expect it to be soft but it is prickly, gorgeous colour.
  • 5 stars: 7 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
L
Lynda

Unusual, you expect it to be soft but it is pickly, gorgeous colour.

G
Geraldine F.
Beautiful

Lovely plant. Packaging great. Will continue to buy from you.

A
Andrea M.
The guys really care about

The guys really care about their plants as well as safe delivery! I couldn’t pay for cold protection so they kept in contact regarding when it would be safe to send out and it still arrived the same week I had bought this (as well as other plants too).
Arrived wrapped up, healthy and is thriving:)

S
Sally C.
Beautiful plant, exactly as shown

Beautiful plant, exactly as shown in the picture, now happy in my terrarium. Fast delivery and great packaging.

C
Catherine P.
Arrived in great condition.

Arrived in great condition.

N
Nathan

So bright

N
Nathan

So bright

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