If you want to make your living room feel like a tropical oasis or are looking for a bright and cheerful plant for your office, a bromeliad will do the trick. These showy plants have brightly colored foliage and beautiful flowers that make them true stunners. Plus, they’re easy to care for! Of course, learning about proper bromeliad care will make your job as a plant parent much easier.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping these plants happy indoors. That includes basics like proper lighting and watering practices as well as interesting bromeliad plant care tips that you may not have thought of. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know everything there is to know about caring for bromeliad plants.
Bromeliad Plant Basics
So, what even is a bromeliad? Well, this term refers to a family of plants known as Bromeliaceae. About 3700 plants belong to the bromeliad family, including the edible pineapple and trailing Spanish moss. However, when people say bromeliad, they’re often referring to plants with long, waxy green leaves and large, colorful flowers.
Most types of bromeliads that work well as houseplants are native to regions in North, Central, and South America. These plants often grow as epiphytes, meaning they grow on top of other plants rather than on the soil surface. Although they use the larger plant for structure, they obtain their water and nutrients from the air without harming the host plant.
How to Care for a Bromeliad
Fortunately, bromeliad plant care is pretty easy. Providing the right type of light, water, and soil will help the plants get off to a good start and remain healthy.
Choose the Proper Container and Soil Type
Bromeliads are used to wrapping their roots around tree branches and in bark crevices, which means they prefer great aeration and drainage. Choose a container with drainage holes and make sure it’s just a few inches larger than the plant’s root ball. These plants have small root systems, so a pot that looks too small may actually be perfect. If the container is too large, the soil mix will remain wetter than the plants like.
Since bromeliads grow on trees and other plants in their native habitats, it’s essential to plant them in well-draining and well-aerated soil. Premixed potting mix designed for most houseplants will do in a pinch, but it’s not the ideal soil for bromeliads. Instead, use an orchid potting mix or combine one part peat-based soil mix with one part pine bark fines.
Another option is to grow your bromeliad as a true air plant. This involves fastening the plant to a log, piece of wood, or other structure. The structure will act as a support, but the roots won’t grow in soil.
Provide Indirect Light
Bromeliads grow best in bright yet indirect light that mimics their natural environment. A shady spot may lead to muted colors and a lack of flowers, while direct sun can lead to burnt leaves. Look for a spot near a south-facing window or in the interior of a bright room. You can also place them in an area with dappled light.
Different types of bromeliads prefer different amounts of light, so don’t be afraid to play around with the amount of light. In general, bromeliads with rigid leaves require more light than those with pliable foliage.
Water Regularly
Since bromeliads are native to the tropics, it’s easy to assume they require lots of water. However, when you consider that the plants grow on trees in the wild, it makes sense that many species can survive without much water.
Exact water needs depend on the type of bromeliad you’re growing as well as the soil type, light, and temperature. However, the overall goal is to keep the soil moderately moist but not soaking wet. A good rule is to water your bromeliad when the top half of the soil is dry. In the summer, expect to water your plant every one to two weeks. When winter arrives, only water every two to three weeks.
Some people think it’s necessary to keep the bromeliad’s leaf “cup” filled with water. However, this isn’t necessary. If the cup is filled with water, make sure to periodically drain and rinse it to prevent the buildup of salts and other minerals.
Temperature and Humidity
A key part of bromeliad care is providing the plants with the proper temperature. These plants like the air to remain between 70-90°F during the day and 50-70°F at night. It’s okay if the day and night temperatures don’t fluctuate this much, but aim for a fluctuation of at least 10°F to keep the plants happy. Along with watching the air temperature, keep the plants away from fireplaces, air conditioning vents, and any other objects that provide hot or cold drafts.
These plants prefer moderate to high humidity that mimics the conditions found in the tropical areas they inhabit. However, most bromeliads will grow fine in average household humidity. If you notice the air in your home is extremely dry, use a spray bottle or pebble tray to boost the air moisture around your bromeliad.
Fertilizer
Most bromeliads benefit from regular fertilization with a balanced, diluted fertilizer. These plants are sensitive to overfertilization, so dilute a generic houseplant fertilizer to one-eight strength. Apply this diluted fertilizer to your bromeliad once every two to three weeks from spring through late summer.
Dealing with Common Bromeliad Problems
If you’re dealing with a discolored, stunted, soggy, or otherwise unhappy bromeliad, don’t fear. Unhappy plants can occur even if you supply excellent bromeliad care. Take note of these common bromeliad problems, their causes, and ways to remedy the issues.
Yellow or Brown Leaf Tips
If you notice the tips of your bromeliad’s leaves are turning dry and developing a yellow or brown color, check the air moisture. Dry air stresses the plants and can lead to moisture loss. These dry tips are especially likely to occur if your plant is in a dry and windy area.
You can improve the condition by boosting the humidity with a humidifier, spray bottle, or petal tray. The discolored tips will not return to their healthy color, so feel free to trim them off with a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears.
No Flowers
Although many bromeliads have beautiful foliage, their flowers are truly spectacular. However, getting these plants to bloom can sometimes test your patience and green thumb. First, recognize that bromeliads take anywhere from one to three years to flower. So if you don’t see a flower in the first year, don’t worry! Also, recognize that these plants only bloom once.
If your plant hasn’t flowered and it’s been a few years, numerous environmental conditions could be the problem. Too much or too little light can prevent the plant from flowering. A lack of variation between day and night temperature can also inhibit flowering.
Sap-Sucking Pests
Bromeliads are prone to attack from tiny, sap-sucking pests including aphids, spider mites, and thrips. These critters use their piercing mouthparts to poke a hole in the plant’s leaves and suck out the sap. While a few pests aren’t a problem, hundreds of them can cause discolored leaves.
You can wipe these pests off your plant with a wet, soapy rag. Another option is to spray the pests with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Bromeliad Varieties
Check out some of these common types of bromeliads you can grow at home.
Aechmea
This genus consists of about 250 species with rigid, long leaves arranged in an upright rosette. The leaves come in bright pink, orange, black-and-white striped, and lime green. These plants are easy to care for as long as you provide bright light.
Billbergia
This genus also produces upright vase-like rosettes, but each plant only contains a handful of leaves. The leaves may be solid, striped, or blotched in shades of pink, white, green, and purple. They can survive dry air and forgetful plant parents better than other types of bromeliads.
Vriesea
These adaptable bromeliads form wide rosettes composed of long, smooth leaves. Most of the plants’ leaves are various shades of green, pink, and/or white.
Order Plants and Flowers
Now that you know the basics of bromeliad care, it’s time to add one of these plants to your home! Fortunately, we carry a variety of plants for delivery. After you decide which plant is right for you, take a moment to learn how to care for it. We’ve put together information on caring for dumb cane plants and created a helpful schefflera care guide.
If you prefer flowers over plants, we can help with that too. Our farm-fresh bouquets are crafted from beautiful flowers like ranunculus, sunflowers, tulips, and more. And since we offer delivery, you can order a bouquet for yourself and send one to your loved ones across the country.
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