Mini Neoregelia ‘Flirtation’ (N. punctatissima ‘Rubra’ x N. ‘Meyendorffii’)

Neoregelia 'Flirtation' is a classic miniature hybrid from M. Paterson, registered in 1986. It is a cross of punctatissima (rubra) and 'Meyendorffii'—two parents known for their rich coloration and compact form. What emerges is a plant that Paterson himself described best: a "medium formal compact rosette of many leaves (40+) in pale green with maroon spots and bands especially in the leaf bases—overlaid with a pinkish glaze."

That pinkish glaze is the signature. It sits over the maroon spotting and banding like a wash of color, giving the foliage a warm, luminous quality that shifts depending on the light. The formal rosette—dense, symmetrical, and holding its shape—makes it read as a considered object rather than a sprawling houseplant.

"Shy to flower" is a feature, not a flaw. Paterson noted that 'Flirtation' is reluctant to bloom. For most plants, that would be a drawback. Here, it means the plant devotes its energy to the foliage and to producing offsets rather than pushing out a flower spike. The result is a longer-lived rosette, a tidier form, and more pups to propagate. For collectors, this is a mark of quality, not a limitation.

Why it belongs in a small space. 'Flirtation' matures as a compact, formal rosette—small enough for terrariums, small mounts, and shelf spots where larger Neoregelias won't fit. Like all Neoregelias, it holds water in the tight central tank, making it a natural fit for vivarium builders and dart frog keepers who need small, reliable bromeliads that don't outgrow their enclosure.

Caring for Your Plant:

Bright, filtered light for the best color. The pinkish glaze and maroon spotting develop under strong light—a bright windowsill, or LEDs in a terrarium. Avoid harsh, direct midday sun, which can scorch the leaves. If your plant is staying green and you want more color, more light is the answer.

Keep the central "cup" filled with fresh water, and flush it out with clean water regularly—weekly is ideal. Stagnant water in a bromeliad tank is how you get rot and pests. It appreciates drying slightly between waterings and prefers not to sit with constant water on the leaves outside the cup.