Growing A Bromeliad And How To Care For A Bromeliad Plant

Following a few simple steps can keep you enjoying bromeliads, both indoors and out, for several seasons.

Provide bright light without direct sun exposure.
Maintain optimal humidity.
Keep air flowing around the plants.
Make sure the plants stay moist but not soggy.
Provide adequate drainage.
Fertilize sparingly.

How often do you water a bromeliad plant?

While their roots prefer to be moist, they can never be allowed to remain soggy. Water that does not drain properly through your potting medium can cause your plant to develop root or crown rot. It is often times sufficient to water your bromeliad once a week.

Where is the best place to plant bromeliads?

Bromeliads grow best in bright, indirect light, both indoors and out. Don't put them where the afternoon sun will shine directly on their leaves, as that can cause them to burn, but don't stick them in a dark corner, either.

How do you care for bromeliads after flowering?

They are epiphytic in nature and reproduce vegetatively by forming offsets or pups. Once the unique flower is spent, you should remove it so the plant can spend its energy on forming pups. Bromeliad care after flowering is much the same while it was in flower. The leaves form a cup in which you can pour water.

Do bromeliads like sun or shade?

Depending on the species, these beauties can reach up to 2m high and wide. They're also quite adaptable and can be found growing in shade to full sun. However, they develop their best colour and shape in full sun with afternoon shade.

How long do bromeliads last?

Originally from the tropics of South America, Central America and Africa, these tropical indoor plants are easy to care for and are easy on the pocketbook. The most common variety of bromeliads, the flowering guzmania (Guzmania spp.), last for two to three years, reports Homestead Gardens.

What is the best way to water a bromeliad?

If you can use it, rainwater is the best water for bromeliads because it is most natural. Distilled water also works well for watering bromeliads. Bromeliad water can also be tap water, but there may be a build up of salt and chemicals from tap water. Bromeliads are tough, carefree plants indoors.

Are coffee grounds good for bromeliads?

One is to flush out bromeliad cups regularly with a garden hose outfitted with a spray nozzle. Or put in bits of larvacide. As a homemade remedy, some garden web sites recommend dropping in a little cooking oil or coffee grounds.

Is Bromeliad a perennial?

Bromeliads are perennial monocotyledons -- plants that have one seed leaf like lilies or corn, rather than two seed leaves like roses or beans. Their seeds have a food reserve, which means bromeliads can be grown like most other plants. ... At maturity, bromeliads range in size from about an inch to 30 feet.

Can I plant bromeliads in the ground?

Outdoors. Bromeliads can also be grown outdoors. They will thrive all year in tropical climates, but can also be placed outdoors in containers during the summer in more extreme climates. Bromeliads in containers will do well on shaded patios or under trees with broad canopies that allow dappled light through.

Should I cut the dead flower off my bromeliad?

Well, it might sound harsh, but once your bromeliad bloom has begun to die, you can cut it off! Bromeliads are known for their exotic, long-lasting flowers. These tropical plants can bloom for months, in fact. ... By cutting off the bromeliad's dying flower, you can help the plant refocus its energy on these new pups.

How do you get bromeliads to rebloom?

Forcing a Bromeliad to Bloom Sooner

Empty the depression in the plant and encase it in a large plastic bag accompanied by a slice of apple, kiwi or banana. These fruits give off ethylene gas, which will help force the plant into bloom. Keep the plant in the bag for 10 days and then remove the covering.

Do bromeliads bloom more than once?

Bromeliads often have both striking foliage as well as flowers. However, a bromeliad will only bloom once throughout its lifespan. Though that seems like a bummer, especially if you bought the bromeliad for its blooms, the flowers actually last for a good portion of time—generally 3 to 6 months.

How do you bring back a dying bromeliad?

Examine the Bromeliad

Examine the Bromeliad.
Check the bromeliad's soil for light, even moistness. ...
Switch to Distilled Water.
Pour the water out of the plant's center cup, and refill the center cup with distilled water. ...
Adjust the Plant's Light Level.
Monitor the light levels the bromeliad receives. ...
Mist the Bromeliad.

Are bromeliads low maintenance?

Bromeliads are a great way to add drought tolerant, low maintenance color to your garden. One of the greatest features is that it requires No trimming! ... They have bright flowers and gorgeous foliage that will provide a wonderful splash of color for months at a time.

Can bromeliads grow without soil?

Most bromeliads, about 75 percent, are epiphytes, meaning they can grow on trees or other wood objects (wood slabs, stumps, driftwood); they don't need soil. The bromeliad does not harm the tree; it merely uses its roots to anchor itself to the tree.

How long do bromeliads live indoors?

Most types of bromeliads typically only live for two to five years even with ideal care, but continue to grow from new sprouts created after flowering. Bromeliads like bright, indirect light, and those grown under intense light will decline faster than those with proper lighting.

How do I know if my bromeliad is dying?

The flower starts to turn brown after a few months, completely dies and you cut it off. Eventually you notice that the plant is slowly turning brown too. In the case of aechmeas, the leaves tend to bend and droop a bit. If the tip of your bromeliad leaves are turning brown, no worries about that.

Are bromeliads easy to care for?

Bromeliad plant care is easy and requires no special tools or fertilizers. Feed the plants with a half strength fertilizer every month in the growing season. ... Some bromeliads grow well as “air plants,” which are glued or nested onto logs, moss or other non-soil organic items.

How often do you water bromeliad?

You don't want your bromeliad to sit in water. In the winter the frequency is more like every 4-5 weeks & in the summer every 3-4 weeks. The urn (cup, tank or vase) gets thoroughly flushed out. This is the core of the bromeliad & is how the plant stores water in nature.

Why are my bromeliad rotting?

Roots that perpetually sit in water will begin to rot causing damage to the entire plant. Bromeliads can also succumb to heart rot. If the center of the bromeliad emits a slight rotting smell, appears brown and soggy, or the leaves fall off easily when touched it may be suffering from heart rot.