The long, stiff, strap-like leaves of this bromeliad overlap at the base, forming a cylindrical shape. Each leaf is grass green, mottled with burgundy and edged with sharp spines. A branched flower spike produces lavender-blue flowers from red-edged bracts. The flowers will last for months, but once the flowers fade, the plant will decline. Look for offshoots, called "pups" at the base of the plant and re-pot them to get new plants. They like filtered light and loose soil mixed with small bark chips to increase porosity.