Cultivars
'Ajax'
This bromeliad is similar to the species and is up to 2 m (6 ft) in diameter by 1.2 m (4 ft) tall with grey green foliage that is flushed red and it is deep crimson red on the underside. It produces an inflorescence that his dark red up to 4 m (12 ft) tall.

'Black Cinder'
This bromeliad is similar to the species and is up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in diameter by 1.2 m (4 ft) tall with narrow deep purple to blackish foliage.  

'Gladys'
This bromeliad is similar to the species and has yellowish variegated foliage.

 'Helenice'
This bromeliad I is similar to the species with erect reddish variegated foliage and is often regarded as the cultivar 'Rubra'.

'Purple Skotak'
This bromeliad I is similar to the species up to 2 m (6 ft) wide with purplish foliage that is up to 200 mm () wide.

'Rubra'
This large bromeliad is up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in diameter by 1.2 m (4 ft) tall. It has leathery deep red tinged foliage that is stronger in a sunny position and the deep red inflorescence is up to 2.5 m () tall and contains hundreds of fragrant white flowers.  

'Silver Plum'
This plant is similar to the species but has foliage that is deep burgundy on the other side and blue grey above and tolerates a full sun position where it produces a deeper purplish colour. The inflorescence is over 2.4 m (8 ft) tall and plant is resistant to produce offsets.