One of the best features of the Bromeliad family is its variety. The Bromeliad family is large and two of its most well known members are Spanish moss and pineapples. This indicates the large variety of plants in this family.
Table of Contents
Background and History
These plants are native to the tropical regions of both North and South America. They live in climates from deserts to rainforests and can live from sea level to altitudes of over 4,000 meters. They can also be easily grown indoors under the right conditions.
Common Names
As mentioned above, there are many names and a huge range of these types of plants. Some of the most common of this species are the Earth Star, Urn Plant, Scarlet Star, Flaming Sword, Blushing Bromeliad, and the Pink Quill.
Varieties
There are multiple varieties of the Bromeliad plant. The most well known variety is the pineapple. Bromeliads typically have bright orange, red, blue, or purple flowers. They can grow in several different ways – terrestrial (growing on the ground); saxicolous (growing on rocks); or epiphytic (growing on other plants and trees).
Toxicity
One of the best features of the Bromeliad is their non-toxicity. If you are looking for a beautiful and colorful addition to your home decor and one that is safe for both humans and pets, then this is the one! Scientific studies have shown no need to worry about your babies or your pets when it comes to having these plants in your home.
Bromeliad Care Tips
Water Requirements
One thing to note about your Bromeliad is that you need to be sure to water the center (rosette) of the plant. It should have some water in it most of the time. You can do this by watering the rosette from the top when you water the entire plant.
Be careful not to overwater, but let the plant soil soak up the water and let the excess run through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. You can also bottom water, but don’t leave any remaining water in the tray underneath the plant after about 20 minutes or so to prevent root rot.
You will know it is time to water your Bromeliad when the top inch of the soil is dried out. These plants are more drought tolerant houseplants and dislike being overwatered. Water every 1 – 2 weeks in the warmer months and every 2 – 3 weeks in the colder months.
Light Requirements
Bromeliads grow best in bright, indirect sunlight whether they are grown indoors or outdoors. They do not do well in low light, but also can not handle direct sunlight, so be sure to place them in a place where the harsh afternoon sunlight will not burn the leaves.
If you are using grow lights or fluorescent lights, your plant will need up to 14 – 16 hours of light per day. This will help them maintain their leaf color and also help them to bloom. Once they bloom, you can move them to the area below the center of the grow lights.
Soil Requirements
Because Bromeliads don’t typically have a very large root system, you will need to be sure to not place your plant into a large pot. This could promote root rot if the soil does not drain properly. A fast-draining potting soil works best for your Bromeliad.
You can use a mixture of one-third sand and two-thirds peat-based soil. You can also use orchid mix, charcoal, or even a soilless potting mix. Any type of rich, organic matter is best. Used coffee grounds can also be placed in the mix to amend the soil and give it acidity.
Fertilizer Requirements
You will need to fertilize your Bromeliad with an acidic, water soluble fertilizer diluted to ¼ to ⅛ strength. Put it on the potting medium, not directly on the plant. Slow-release fertilizer can also be added to the soil if you wish to use this instead.
Be careful not to over fertilize your plant as this can stunt or slow the growth of the plant. You might also wish to add some dissolved Epsom salts to the watering cup once per month for a few months to encourage chlorophyll production.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements
Surprisingly, there is a huge range of temperatures that a Bromeliad can survive in. The lowest temperature is 32 degrees F and the highest is 100 degrees F. The optimum temperatures, however, range from 65 to 90 degrees F in the daytime and 50 to 65 degrees F at night.
You don’t want to risk the life of your plant by leaving it in temps below 60 degrees F outside overnight, but it could survive in lower temps. Just keep in mind that they are naturally tropical plants and need to have warmer temps overall.
As far as humidity levels go, between 50% and 75% humidity is best. These plants do like to be misted and you can do this once or twice a week no matter what level of humidity you have in your home environment.
Pests and Diseases
Some of the most common pests that can affect your Bromeliad are spider mites, scale, fungus gnats, fruit flies, mealybugs, and thrips. When you first get your plant, you should isolate it for three weeks from your other houseplants to be sure it doesn’t have any of these pests that could affect your other plants.
If you do find any of these pests, you can treat them several ways. For spider mites, you can use a blast of water or use isopropyl alcohol on a cloth to wipe them away. You can also use alcohol or your fingernail to get rid of scale.
You can use sticky traps for fungus gnats and also allow your plant to dry out since they are attracted to moisture. A bowl of vinegar and dish soap will attract fruit flies and rid your plant of them.
If you find mealybugs, alcohol on a cotton swab will rid your plant of them. You might need to use neem oil if you have a large infestation of these, however. Thrips are tougher to get rid of, but can be eliminated with either insecticidal soap or neem oil applications.
A couple types of diseases that may affect your Bromeliad are root rot and crown rot. Overwatering is the most common cause of root or crown rot in Bromeliads. Be sure to keep a regular watering schedule to avoid too much moisture in your plant’s root system.
Leaf spot is also another type of disease that can affect your Bromeliad. This is a fungal disease that starts out as yellow blisters and enlarge to become sunken and brown on the leaves. Rust is also a problem for Bromeliads. It also shows itself as brown blisters on the plant leaves.
Pruning and Repotting
Whenever your plant has finished blooming and the flower has died, you should cut it off. This will redirect the energy to the rest of the plant and help it to continue to grow into a healthier one. Cut it as deep into the cup of the flower as possible to avoid leaving an awkward looking stub.
When the leaves become damaged or brown, be sure to cut them off also. You can just snip them off at the base level. This also helps the plant to send its growing power to the rest of the plant.
Remember that these plants do not have a deep or large root system. So, even if you have a large Bromeliad, it will not need to be placed in a large pot. This will just make it a place for the root system to collect excess water and be subject to root rot. Always keep your focus on giving your plant a regular amount of water without overwatering it.
Common Problems
Leaves Turning Yellow
This can be attributed to a number of things. One is a lack of fertilizer. You will need to fertilize it with the proper type of fertilizer to solve this problem. You also may have to remove the yellowing leaves if they continue to die off.
Elongated Leaves
This may happen if your plant needs more light. If your plant has been placed in an area that lacks light, it may grow dark, elongated leaves and not have the trademark coloring of the normal Bromeliad plant. This problem can be solved by moving the plant to a location with more sunlight.
Bromeliad Not Blooming
This can be due to your plant not receiving adequate light. A sufficient light source is necessary for your plant to bloom properly. You can also fertilize your plant to encourage blooming. The fertilizing should only be done, however, during the active growing season (spring and summer months).
FAQs
Most Bromeliads only grow a single bloom. Since these plants grow their new leaves from the center of the plant, it is impossible for them to continue growing after they flower since the inflorescence blocks new leaf growth.
Most Bromeliads live for two to five years. They only bloom once and only when they hit maturity, but the blooms last up to six months, so you get a lot of bang for your buck! The bloom will then slowly die off as it puts its energy into producing new plants called pups.
Yes it is. Once the pups grow to approximately ⅓ to ½ the size of the mother plant, you can separate them from the plant. Cut them as close as possible to the main plant and be sure there are roots on the pup. If so, that means the pup can survive independently.
In Conclusion
Due to the great many types of Bromeliads, you have lots of options to choose from when looking for one for your collection. They are relatively easy to maintain and aren’t as fussy as some other tropicals to grow indoors. Pick one up and see how it goes. As always, keep on growing!