Bromeliad Plant Care Guide

The Bromeliad plant brings an exotic touch to any home and garden alike. One thing is sure: you will feel like you are in the tropics. So add some sun-kissed climates to your living space today.

One thing is sure: these plants are unique, and added to your other houseplant collection adds exotic colors. You can find them in varieties that are reasonably easy to grow.

Yet, the care for Bromeliads is different compared to other houseplants. Yes, the upkeep is not difficult, just different. The good news is that you will learn how to care for this beautiful plant here.

What is the Bromeliad Plant?

Aechmea Brevicollis l Plantly

The one thing the Bromeliad plants have is an unusual appearance. You find them decorating homes, retail establishments, and offices. Do not let the appearance fool you, thinking you need magical skills to make it grow into a natural rosette.

The fact is the growth is simple, with unique care needed. Bromeliad, or Bromeliaceae, is part of hundreds of species found in the plant family. This plant is epiphytic (a great thing to know.) So you are not restricted to planting it only in a pot.

Instead, you can grow it on rocks, other plants, or trees similar to orchids. The fantastic news is that the care for the Bromeliad plant is identical to the orchid and gets its nutrients from the air and rainwater while attaching its root to a host.

Sadly, it is a slow grower, and unfortunately, they only bloom once and have a short-lived life after flowering and die. But there is good news! Bromeliads have loads of pups before they die, leaving you with more plants to care for.

Bromeliad Classification

bromeliad plant care card

Care for Bromeliad Plants

Bromeliad Plant

Caring for your Bromeliads flowering plant is similar to caring for your Pothos and Philodendron plants.

Yet, the plant needs a specific condition to bloom, varying from one genus to another. Furthermore, the bloom cycles affect humidity, day length, water, temperature, and feeding.

Therefore, the best is to find out which Bromeliad you have to determine what works best for your plant. And believe us, there are many of them.

Bromeliad Plants Hardiness Zones

bromeliad plant USDA growth map

Do you live in the USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11? Then you’re in luck as the plant grows well as a houseplant in these areas.

One fantastic thing about Bromeliads is their high tolerance to temperature variations. However, as it is a tropical plant, it needs warmer conditions with more humidity. So if you want your plant to thrive, make sure it is in temperatures between 55° to 80°F.

Another exceptional thing is your plant grows easily indoors with a humidity level ranging from 40% to 60%. Therefore, during the summer months, you can move your Bromeliads outdoors.

Temperature and Humidity

One fantastic thing about the Bromeliad plant is its high tolerance to temperature variations. Yet, as it is a tropical plant, it needs warmer conditions with more humidity.

So, if you want your plants to thrive, ensure it is in temperatures between 55° to 80°F. Another exceptional thing is that your plant grows easily indoors with 40% to 60% humidity.

Thus, you can move your plant outdoors during the spring and summer months.

Lighting

Bromeliad lighting condition

In the Bromeliad family, some species are tolerant to light differently. Some can grow outside in direct sunlight, while others scorch when placed in full sun.

The general rule of thumb is if you have a plant with hard, stiff leaves, it is best to grow it in bright, indirect light.

Furthermore, if your plant leaves turn yellowish, it receives too much sunlight, while the opposite, if the leaves turn dark green or become elongated, might be the cause of too little bright light.

So, it would be best if you bound the balance between bright indirect light, too much light, or too little.

Bromeliad Best Potting Mix

orchid bark for Bromeliad

You do not need to grow Bromeliads in the ground as they do not get nutrients through their roots from the soil. Instead, you can place the Bromeliad plant on rocks, logs, or wood or in a pot. You can buy Bromeliad soil mix or use an orchid soil mix.

Alternatively, mix your potting soil with ⅔ peat-based soil with ⅓ sand. On the other hand, you can mix orchid mix with charcoal or a soilless potting mix. Some Bromeliad plants you can grow as air plants on a piece of wood in your home.

Yet, if grown as an indoor plant in a pot, keep the soil dry to prevent root rot.

How to Water Bromeliads

Watering bromeliads is crucial to their health, and it’s essential to do it correctly.

  1. Use tepid, room-temperature water. Bromeliads are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so avoid cold or hot water.

  2. Bromeliads have a unique water-capturing mechanism known as the “tank.” You find the tank in the center of the plant. Water should be directed into the central cup or tank of the Bromeliad, where it forms a reservoir. Allow the tank to be filled with water and not the soil.

  3. For most bromeliads, water the tank when it is empty or nearly so. This might be every 1-2 weeks, but it can vary depending on factors like humidity, temperature, and the size of the tank.

  4. While the tank is the primary water source, some bromeliads may have roots in the soil. You can lightly water the soil, but don’t let it become waterlogged.

  5. Bromeliads are sensitive to overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Always ensure the pot or container has good drainage to prevent excess water from accumulating in the soil.

  6. Some bromeliads appreciate occasional misting, especially if the indoor air is dry. This mimics their natural habitat.

Use rainwater or distilled water if possible, as bromeliads can be sensitive to the minerals and chemicals in tap water. If you must use tap water, let it sit for a day to allow chlorine and other chemicals to dissipate.

Fertilizer 

diluted liquid fertilizer for breomeliad plants

You will love your Bromeliad plant because it is not a heavy feeder. You can provide it with diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season of spring and summer. The strength should be either a ⅛ or ¼ applied every four weeks.

Yet, if you use a slow-release pellet fertilizer, only apply one pellet each season when you water the central cup. Please do not feed your plants during winter or when they flower. It’s a big no-no. Your plant is dormant now, and you get bleached, colored leaves preventing it from blooming.

Potting Bromeliad

flowering bromeliad in a pot

When you grow Bromeliads, depending on your variety, it does not have a huge root system. Therefore, you normally grow it as one plant and need no repotting. However, if you grow it as a houseplant indoors and need repotting, make sure to buy the correct sized pot with good drainage.

In addition, you can prune your Bromeliad plant from time to time to improve its growth. What you can do is snip the foliage of the mother plant when you see the pups appear at the base of the plant. The pups indicate where a new plant will grow.

Propagating Bromeliad Plants

Propagating Bromeliads can be a fun and rewarding way to grow new plants. Bromeliads can be propagated through offsets, seeds, or, in some cases, by division.

Offset Division (Pups):

Many bromeliads produce offsets or “pups” at the base of the parent plant. These are miniature versions of the adult plant and can be separated for propagation.

  1. Please wait until the pups are at least one-third the size of the mother plant before removing it. This typically happens when the offsets have developed several leaves and roots.

  2. Gently remove the pups from the parent plant by cutting them away with a sharp, clean knife or shears.

  3. Allow the cut end to callus over for a day or two to prevent rotting.

  4. Plant the pups in a well-draining potting mixture, burying it to the base of its leaves. Water the pup’s soil lightly.

Seed Propagation:

Growing bromeliads from seeds is more challenging and time-consuming but can be rewarding.

  • Collect ripe bromeliad seeds from the parent plant’s flower once the seed pods have opened.

  • Sow the seeds on the surface of a sterile seed-starting mix.

  • Cover the seeds with a thin layer of fine vermiculite or perlite.

  • Keep the soil moist and maintain humidity by covering the container with a plastic lid or wrap.

  • Place the container in a warm, well-lit location, but avoid direct light.

Germination can take weeks to months, so be patient.

Division (for Clump-Forming Bromeliads):

Some bromeliads grow in clumps or have multiple rosettes connected by a rhizome. These can be divided when the cluster becomes too large. Carefully remove the entire plant from its pot and separate the rosettes by cutting through the rhizome. Allow the cut ends to callus for a day or two. Repot the divided rosettes into individual pots with well-draining soil.

Bromeliad Bloom

bromeliad with pink flower

Replicating the correct period for the Bromeliad plant to bloom is difficult, as it can happen in any growing season. Nevertheless, exposing the plant to ethylene gas can be forced to flower. To spike your plant, follow these steps:

  • Place a clear plastic bag tightly sealed around the plant with a ripe apple inside for up to 10 days.

  • The apple gives off the ethylene gas once it becomes decomposed.

  • Before attempting this, the water must also be drained from the central cup.

Bromeliad Toxicity

The plant is not considered toxic, but some latex-sensitive humans and pets can experience skin irritation if in contact with the plant’s sap. So, while it is a non-toxic plant, it still helps to be careful.

Bromeliad Diseases & Pests

Common pests are aphids, scale, and mealybugs. Most of the time, your Bromeliad plant is free of disease and pests. Yet, the plant is prone to the following issues:

The improper container is a big concern, as the Bromeliads do not have a vast root system. So, if you want to place them indoors, choose a small yet well-drained pot to prevent root rot.

Hard water is another problem, as tap water has a high mineral content that causes spots at the plant base or in the center cup. Preferably, use demineralized water.

Overwatering happens a lot when over-saturating the ground. The best way for watering is through the central cup filled with water.

Bromeliad Varieties and Similar Plants

While you can plant the Bromeliad in a blended potting mix, you find epiphytic species as well.

Guzmania Bromeliad

guzmania bromeliad

Comprises of G. Lingulata, G. Zahnii, G. Guzmania, and G. Monostachia. These plants have glossy long flat green leaves, with some having bright red bracts, but it depends on the species. Some even have pink, purple, yellow, or orange flowers that last up to four months.

The Neoregelia

Neoregelia bromeliad

Is a diverse Bromeliad genus with colorful bracts from deep purple to pink. The rosette forms short and flat. While others do not reach more than an inch across the leaf while others spread out to 40 inches wide.

The Ananas Comosus Champaca

Is a plant that grows an ornamental pineapple with spidery leaves with miniature ones on the top of the flower spike.

The Vriesea

Vriesea bromeliad

This features a tropical feather bloom with variegated foliage that looks like fireworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bromeliad plants offer several benefits beyond their exotic beauty. They are excellent air purifiers, removing toxins and improving indoor air quality. Additionally, they are low-maintenance, making them perfect for busy individuals or those new to gardening. Some species of Bromeliads can even be used for medicinal purposes, such as reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.

After flowering, the mother plant will eventually die, but it will produce several offsets or pups. These pups can be removed and planted to grow new plants. It’s essential to wait until the offsets are at least one-third the size of the mother plant before removing them.

To care for the new pups, ensure they receive the same care as the mother plant. Please keep them in a warm, humid environment and avoid direct sunlight. Water them like the mother plant, filling the central cup or tank with water and moistening the soil.

As the pups grow, you can repot them into a larger container and fertilize them with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season. With proper care, your new Bromeliad plants will thrive and produce beautiful blooms, leaving you with more houseplants.

f your houseplant is not producing any pups, there are a few things you can do to encourage the plant to produce offsets:

  1. Provide the right environment: Bromeliads prefer warm, humid climates with indirect sunlight. Ensure your plant is in a location with the right conditions for growth.

  2. Water correctly: Ensure you are watering your Bromeliad correctly, filling the central cup or tank with water, and keeping the soil slightly moist. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and other issues.

  3. Fertilize: Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season to give the plant the nutrients it needs to produce offsets.

  4. Be patient: Bromeliads can take several years to produce pups, so be patient and continue to provide the proper care for your plant.

If you have tried these measures and your Bromeliad is still not producing pups, it may be a sign that the plant is unhealthy. Check for signs of pests or disease and make sure the plant is not getting too much sunlight or too little moisture. Provide your plant with bright, indirect light.

Yes, that’s correct. Bromeliad plants usually only bloom once in their lifetime, after which they die. However, before they die, they produce “pups” or offshoots that can be propagated to produce new plants.

Bromeliad plants usually bloom only once in their lifetime, after which they die. However, before they die, they produce “pups” that can be propagated to produce new plants. Pruning is unnecessary, but you can remove dead or dying leaves and divide the pups from the parent plant if it becomes too large for its container. When pruning or dividing the plants, use a sharp, clean tool to prevent damage or infection.

Bromeliads need bright, indirect light to produce flowers. However, some species are more tolerant of direct sun than others. If the leaves turn yellowish, the plant is receiving too much sunlight, while dark green or elongated leaves can be a sign of too little light. Finding the right balance of light for your Bromeliad species is essential to promote healthy growth and blooming.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

Plantly Menu