How to Care for a Bromeliad

25 de enero de 2013

How to Care for a Bromeliad

Bromeliads are members of a plant family known as Bromeliaceae (bro-meh-lee-AH-say-eye). The pineapple is one of the best known plants of this family. The flower stalk is produced from the center of the rosette and bromeliads. These plants can be used both as houseplants and in the landscape.

Edit Steps

Give the bromeliad plant adequate light. Bright, filtered or indirect sunlight is best. Different types of bromeliads may have different light requirements. Broad-leafed varieties may “burn” when placed in direct sunlight. A window with southern exposure is usually ideal all year.

Water them properly. Keep the soil evenly moist, but do not over-water or allow the plant roots to stand in water. It is not necessary to pour water in the “tank” created by the lower leaves, since the plant will absorb adequate water through its root system, although the bromeliads that have the "tank" would prefer to have water inside. If you pour water in the “tank,” change the water frequently to prevent rotting of the bloom.

Keep the plant in the correct temperature. This shouldn't be hard, as indoor temperatures do not usually vary much. Bromeliads tolerate a wide range of temperatures, with an ideal range of 55-85ºF (13-29ºC). For brief periods, bromeliads can withstand temperatures ranging from -2 to 100ºF (-7 to 37ºC). Cool nighttime temperatures actually enhance the color and prolong the bloom life. If it is more humid, the temperature can be higher. The air circulation should be good.

Fertilize the plant. Fertilizing is not required in the home. To produce more vigorous new growth, use a well-balanced water based plant fertilizer at about half the manufacturer’s recommended application rate.

Repot the bromeliad if needed. This is typically unnecessary.

Wait for the plant to bloom. Plants are sold in bloom throughout the year. Blooms can last from two to three months. Most varieties have a very slow metabolism and will take up to two years to produce a bloom in a greenhouse. Bromeliads do not re-bloom, but they will produce a small “pup” plant at their base within two years of blooming, which can slowly grow into the next generation (see next step).

Grow new plants. Bromeliads only bloom once in their life. A new plant must grow before a new bloom can be generated. Once blooming is complete, the mother plant will produce small “pup” plants on the outer perimeter of its base. A bromeliad is a very slow growing plant. The pups will take about six months to grow to approximately one-third the size of the mother plant. When the pups reach that size, separate them from the mother plant. Allow the young plants to grow for at least 6 more months, after which time they could be mature enough to bloom.

Edit Tips

The leafy top of a pineapple is a pup because it can be removed and planted to start another plant.

These plants bloom in a wide variety of colors and are very easy to care for. They almost thrive on neglect.

The pups are usually, but not always, found near the base of the plant inside the sheath of the leaf. The mother may sometimes survive a generation or two before finally dying off.

It will produce new little plants, referred to as pups, that will remain on the mother plant until they are large enough to root, and become a separate plant.

Bromeliads have very few insect or pest problems.

The bromeliads only flower a single time––once the plant stops producing leaves and produces its flower, it will not start making leaves again.

Bromeliads tolerate a wide range of light and temperature, making them ideal for indoor locations.

Edit Warnings

Never use copper watering cans. The copper is toxic to bromeliads and will kill the plants. Take care not to use a fertilizer that is high in copper and keep them away from copper treated timber.