The Alcantarea imperialis 'Dark clone' looks very special and tropical. Its leaves are long , narrow and thick and grow from the centre of the plant into the shape of a coronet. The colour of the leaves varies from mat-green to red or reddish –brown depending on the amount of nutrition given to this plant. Quite often the leaves can even be two-toned: green with its tips a reddish-purple colour. Araflora also has cultivars of this type with completely bright-red leaves. The Alcantarea imperialis is also called the Emperor Bromelia, because it grows to a large size and has an impressive flowering. A long stalk with many white flowers grows from the centre of the plantand can flower up to five months.

The Alcantarea imperialis 'Dark clone' likes a light spot or a spot in the half shadow. In the growing season this epiphytic bromelia prefers a moist soil, on the other hand during the rest-break in winter the soil must stay reasonably dry. Water this exotic plant on top, so that the water will remain standing in the centre of the plant .The Alcantarea imperialis 'Dark clone' thrives in a garden, on a terrace or balcony as long as the temperature does not drop below freezing point. Indoors this plant flourishes the whole year round and then it does not need a rest-break. It is not necessary for the soil around this plant to contain many nutrients and part of the soil can best be peat.