Dyckia fosteriana are spiny, stemless bromeliads resembling prickly succulents. It has shiny, stiffly arching, dull grey leaves up to 22cm (9 inch) long and 1-2cm (0.4-0.8 inch) wide, viciously armed with tiny hooked spines along the edges. In bright sunlight the leaf colour changes to rich metallic bronze. The leaves grow in a tight rosette. In the spring bell shaped flowers in orange-yellow colour and 2cm (0.8 inch) long appear on 22-30cm (9-12 inch) long, slender flower stalk. These flower stalk are rising from a side of a mature rosette – not from the centre as on other bromeliads – meaning that the plant is not dying after flowering as most other bromeliads does. Dyckia fosteriana generally form new rosettes rapidly, building up into relatively large cluster. It spread little more than 30cm (12 inch) or so. Houseplant care: Whenever possible, stand the Dyckia fosteriana in a sunny position outdoors throughout the summer months. Do not expose them to outdoors brightness suddenly, however. Instead give them a little more sunlight each day over a period of 7 to 10 days. Bring plants indoors again in about early autumn. Dyckia fosteriana will withstand more neglect than almost any other commonly cultivated plant and still pup and bloom every year. Their only demand is a little water and a lot of sunshine. Light: Grow Dyckia fosteriana in direct sunlight for strongest leaf colour and for short, sturdy growth. Temperature: Dyckia fosteriana flourish in hot, dry conditions in the wild, so they are able to withstand dry indoor heat. They have no definite resting period, but grow steadily throughout periods of warmth. However they can tolerate quite cool temperatures, even as low as 10°C (50°F). Watering: Dyckia fosteriana are well able to withstand long periods of drought (as well as short periods of general neglect). They do best, however, if watered moderately, enough to make the entire potting mixture moist at each watering and allowing the top couple of centimetres of the mixture to dry out before watering again. In areas where the quantity of sunlight is considerably reduced in winter, Dyckia fosteriana should be kept quite cool during the months of low light. At such times water them sparingly (no more than once a month, giving just enough each time to keep the potting mixture from drying out. Fertilising: Apply a standard liquid fertiliser to these plants once a month during spring, summer and autumn. Poting and repotting: Use stout gloves when repotting these plants and handle the leaves with great care. Stiffly arching leaves are liable to break off suddenly if they are not treated with considerable care. Use soil based potting mixture with the addition of a one-third portion of coarse sand to ensure good drainage. Pots should also have a shallow layer of clay-pot fragments or other drainage material on the bottom. Move the Dyckia fosteriana into pots one size larger in the spring whenever their roots have covered the entire surface of the potting mixture. The largest pot size needed will normally be 12-15cm (5-6 inch).