A new and distinct variety of Vriesea plant resulting as a spontaneous somoclonal variation among propagules of 'Christiane' from tissue culture. This new plant, named 'Cathy', is characterized by having good vigor and an inflorescence of a dark reddish purple, deepening to near black as the blooming plant ages, rather than the usual brilliant red of the parent Vriesea 'Christinae'. With the exception of the coloration of the inflorescence, the newly discovered sport 'Cathy', is phenotypically similar to the parent variety 'Christiane'.