How to grow bromeliads.
The showy bromeliad may look difficult to grow, but this tropical-looking epiphyte is easy to care for in average home conditions providing an array of stunning colours and textures. An epiphyte or air plant doesn't require soil; it can cling to trees, be glued to objects, or be planted in shallow soil. They do not need any special tools or fertilizers.
Bromeliads have splashy flower displays, but they only flower once during their lifespan under the right conditions. Once the bloom fades, cut the flower stalk at its base. After flowering, the plant usually produces pups or baby offshoots of new plants. Many types of bromeliads are famous for their beautiful foliage; they have multicolored leaves in red, green, purple, orange, and yellow, some including bands, stripes, spots, and other features. Bromeliads for beginners include those found in the Guzmania, neoregelia, and Vriesea genera.
Bromeliads are relatively slow-growing plants that take one to three years to mature into flowering plants; some can get as large as 18-inches tall. Most bromeliads need bright, indirect sunlight or dappled shade. Avoid direct sun since it can scorch the leaves. Bromeliads are non-toxic plants, often setting those at ease with pets or young children in the home.
Bromeliads are relatively slow-growing plants that take one to three years to mature into flowering plants; some can get as large as 18-inches tall. Most bromeliads need bright, indirect sunlight or dappled shade. Avoid direct sun since it can scorch the leaves. Bromeliads are non-toxic plants, often setting those at ease with pets or young children in the home.
Bromeliad CareBromeliads generally need a fairly specific set of conditions to bloom, varying from genus to genus and even from species to species in a single genus. Their bloom cycle is affected by day length, temperature, humidity, water, and feeding.
When cultivated as indoor plants, most bromeliads are planted in a mixture of potting soil and sand. Watering is done either by moistening the soil or filling the center depression ("cup") formed by the rosette of leaves. Also, bromeliads can be grown without soil by fastening or gluing the plant to a board.
Light
Provide bright, indirect light unless you know your bromeliad prefers a different light level. Other genera of bromeliads are tolerant of varying levels of light. Generally, varieties with soft, flexible, spineless leaves usually prefer lower light levels, while those with stiff, hard leaves prefer bright indirect light. Some can even withstand full tropical sun, while others will quickly scorch.
Plants that turn yellowish might be getting too much light, while dark green or elongated plants might receive too little light. Increasing light exposure can help the plant bloom, provided the other conditions are appropriate.
Soil
Bromeliads grown indoors thrive in fast-draining potting soil that holds moisture but drains well. A mixture of two-thirds peat-based soil and one-third sand is often ideal. You can also use orchid mix, charcoal, or soilless potting mix. Many bromeliads that are epiphytic can be grown in containers, or you can try to grow them as authentic "air plants" mounted to boards or logs (typically secured with ties or glue).
Water
Although native to tropical, moist environments, some bromeliads are very tolerant of drought conditions, but they prefer moist, not soggy, soil. In a typical house, it's usually not necessary to keep the central cup of the plant constantly filled with water. But this is an option if the light levels and temperature are high. If you do centrally water your bromeliad, make sure to flush the central cup every so often to remove any built-up salts. But in general, it's enough to water these plants very sparingly through the soil weekly during the growing season and reduce watering during the winter rest period. Never let the plant rest in standing water, as bromeliads are prone to root rot.
Wait until the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch before watering. Plants you are growing as epiphytes (as air plants without soil) need more attention: mist them with a spray bottle, and give them a good soaking by submerging them in water once per week.
Temperature and Humidity
Bromeliads are tolerant of temperature variations, but most bromeliads need protection from cold. If you want to add these plants to your landscape but live in a climate with freezing temperatures, consider planting bromeliads in pots that can be brought inside in winter. Bromeliads prefer temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Though some cold-hardy types can survive temperatures down to 20 degrees, they should generally not be exposed to temperatures under 40 degrees. They grow well indoors in 40-50 percent humidity. In many climates, bromeliads can be moved outdoors during the summer. Remember: bromeliads are native to tropical, humid, shady forest floors or grown in trees. Try to mimic those conditions for your plants.
Fertilizer
Bromeliads are not heavy feeders. During the growing season, use a liquid fertilizer diluted at half strength. Avoid feeding mature plants in winter or when the plant begins to flower.
Growing Outdoors
You can grow bromeliads outdoors. They do best in tropical environments, so you will need to bring your plants indoors during the colder months. When placing them outside, you can grow them in a container in shallow soil on a shaded patio, under a shady tree, or a larger plant that will give it some shade during a bright, sunny day. Direct sun can burn bromeliad leaves.
Containers dry out quicker than inground plants; water when the soil dries out; soaking the soil well. The water should drain easily from the drainage holes. You can also water the plant's natural cup formed by the plant's leaves at its base.
When cultivated as indoor plants, most bromeliads are planted in a mixture of potting soil and sand. Watering is done either by moistening the soil or filling the center depression ("cup") formed by the rosette of leaves. Also, bromeliads can be grown without soil by fastening or gluing the plant to a board.
Light
Provide bright, indirect light unless you know your bromeliad prefers a different light level. Other genera of bromeliads are tolerant of varying levels of light. Generally, varieties with soft, flexible, spineless leaves usually prefer lower light levels, while those with stiff, hard leaves prefer bright indirect light. Some can even withstand full tropical sun, while others will quickly scorch.
Plants that turn yellowish might be getting too much light, while dark green or elongated plants might receive too little light. Increasing light exposure can help the plant bloom, provided the other conditions are appropriate.
Soil
Bromeliads grown indoors thrive in fast-draining potting soil that holds moisture but drains well. A mixture of two-thirds peat-based soil and one-third sand is often ideal. You can also use orchid mix, charcoal, or soilless potting mix. Many bromeliads that are epiphytic can be grown in containers, or you can try to grow them as authentic "air plants" mounted to boards or logs (typically secured with ties or glue).
Water
Although native to tropical, moist environments, some bromeliads are very tolerant of drought conditions, but they prefer moist, not soggy, soil. In a typical house, it's usually not necessary to keep the central cup of the plant constantly filled with water. But this is an option if the light levels and temperature are high. If you do centrally water your bromeliad, make sure to flush the central cup every so often to remove any built-up salts. But in general, it's enough to water these plants very sparingly through the soil weekly during the growing season and reduce watering during the winter rest period. Never let the plant rest in standing water, as bromeliads are prone to root rot.
Wait until the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch before watering. Plants you are growing as epiphytes (as air plants without soil) need more attention: mist them with a spray bottle, and give them a good soaking by submerging them in water once per week.
Temperature and Humidity
Bromeliads are tolerant of temperature variations, but most bromeliads need protection from cold. If you want to add these plants to your landscape but live in a climate with freezing temperatures, consider planting bromeliads in pots that can be brought inside in winter. Bromeliads prefer temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Though some cold-hardy types can survive temperatures down to 20 degrees, they should generally not be exposed to temperatures under 40 degrees. They grow well indoors in 40-50 percent humidity. In many climates, bromeliads can be moved outdoors during the summer. Remember: bromeliads are native to tropical, humid, shady forest floors or grown in trees. Try to mimic those conditions for your plants.
Fertilizer
Bromeliads are not heavy feeders. During the growing season, use a liquid fertilizer diluted at half strength. Avoid feeding mature plants in winter or when the plant begins to flower.
Growing Outdoors
You can grow bromeliads outdoors. They do best in tropical environments, so you will need to bring your plants indoors during the colder months. When placing them outside, you can grow them in a container in shallow soil on a shaded patio, under a shady tree, or a larger plant that will give it some shade during a bright, sunny day. Direct sun can burn bromeliad leaves.
Containers dry out quicker than inground plants; water when the soil dries out; soaking the soil well. The water should drain easily from the drainage holes. You can also water the plant's natural cup formed by the plant's leaves at its base.
