Discover the secrets to growing bromeliads. Follow our detailed guide for tips on light, watering, soil, and maintenance for thriving bromeliad plants.
How to Grow Bromeliads:
Bromeliads belong to the Bromeliaceae plant family and typically feature striking, sword-shaped leaves with vibrant, unusual blooms (in reality just bracts). Originating in tropical rainforests where they prefer living on tree bark rather than ground conditions, their roots use this unique connection between plant and host for gripping onto each other, while they receive water through an underground “vase” which fills up when it rains; even frogs use these spaces as breeding tanks when raising their young!
Vriesea Splendens and Tillandsia (Tiny Air Plants are also Tillandsias):
Guzmanias are tall flowers with pineapple-shaped blooms. Billbergia nutans is commonly known as Queen’s Tears because its pink blooms release nectar when touched or moved, while Neoregelia carolinae f. tricolor has the unique distinction of turning pink-red before blooming to produce tri-colour blushing bromeliads such as Neoregelia carolinae f. tricolor. Lastly, Cryptanthus are nicknamed Earth Stars due to their star-shaped foliage.
Once bromeliads bloom, they die back over time – not making them suitable as long-term houseplants. At their base, however, are new plants that can be potted up and grown on. Bromeliads are easy plants for beginners to care for so may make an excellent addition to their collection.
How to Grow and Care For Bromeliads
Bromeliads thrive in warm environments with plenty of bright light, such as an office. Watering should take place through their central ‘vase’ which should remain filled at all times; tap water may contain chemicals that irritate them so using collected rainwater or leaving it standing for 24 hours can help release some chemicals such as gases or boiling and cooling can also work effectively. Once flowering occurs, the plant should produce pups at its base that can be potted up as new plants. Also, remember to moisten leaves regularly to maximize growth!
Where Can One Grow A Bromeliad?
How to Grow Bromeliads Aechmea fasciata In Bright Indirect Light
Most bromeliads thrive in warm rooms that receive plenty of bright indirect light; ideal temperatures range from 20degC-20degC for blooming. Once blooming has taken place, lowering temperatures helps extend its bloom period. A bathroom is the ideal place for growing bromeliads because the conditions mimic those found in their natural tropical environments; conservatories also work well, though their leaves may scorch on hotter summer days; radiators can damage leaves which compromises the growth of bromeliads.
How to Plant Aechmea ‘Elegant Ruby’
When growing bromeliads like Aechmea ‘Elegant Ruby’ in its original pot should do fine as once finished blooming it will die back and need to be repotted with a 50:50 mix of peat-free multipurpose compost and orchid compost as its ideal soil mix. When watering bromeliads for proper care as part of How to Grow Bromeliads it should always be applied with regularity! Watering Your Bromeliad
Requirements to Grow Bromeliads | How to Grow Bromeliads
Bromeliads require different watering than most house plants, with rainwater being preferred or tap water that has been boiled and cooled before being left for 24 hours to stand before refilling with fresh water. Every few weeks it should be emptied by turning over the plant on its side and filling up again – this will prevent bacteria build-up in its leaves and prevent build-up of bacteria in its compost. Ensure this never dries out fully as part of maintaining healthy growth!
Add houseplant fertilizer when watering the rosette, but only feed during spring and summer months at half strength. In summer months, make sure the compost remains moist but in winter only water when its soil has dried out completely.
Misting regularly or placing plants in trays of moist gravel are effective ways of maintaining optimal conditions for bromeliads. When temperatures hit extreme levels in summer months, ventilation should also be maintained, and perhaps consider moving your bromeliad outside into the shade during this time.
How to Propagate Bromeliads:
Bromeliads have an intriguing feature in that their central rosette often dies off after flowering, leaving behind several baby plants at its base that can either remain in their original pot or can be divided up further and divided up further as needed. When dividing bromeliads, it’s best to wait until their babies reach at least 10–15 cm in size for optimal success.
As the main plant dies off, carefully remove its baby plants by lifting them out of their pot, being careful not to damage any attached roots. Report each baby plant in peat-free house plant compost and water both the compost and rosettes regularly until roots develop; this typically takes around one month. Alternatively, wait until its main counterpart dies off before cutting it out altogether and leaving its babies to continue growing where they were planted; new plants may take several years before blooming again.
Growing Bromeliads: Problem Solving
If the bract of a flower dies back after flowering, this is normal; bromeliads die back after they flower. Look out for new baby plants at the base that could be potted up and grown on. Brown leaf tips could be caused by dry air or hard water conditions.
Yellow leaves could indicate that the plant has outgrown its container. Pale leaves could indicate too much sunlight exposure or dry air conditions in their environment.
Soggy brown leaves can be caused by crown or root rot due to overwatering, while bromeliads may attract mealybug, scale, and spider mites – slow-moving insects that feed on sap, often manifested by sticky leaves or nearby surfaces; sugar released while feeding leads to stickiness that attracts black sooty mould growth if left alone for too long; the best way to combat these pests is manually wiping them off with a damp cloth.
Tiny red spider mites can be difficult to see, but keep an eye out for signs such as fine webbing between leaves and yellow mottling on surfaces. Mites are difficult to control with insecticides alone; since they prefer humid environments, it might help to spray your plants with water or stand them on a tray filled with damp gravel to increase humidity. Additionally, you could try organic plant oil sprays as possible solutions. Our advice for purchasing bromeliads may help as well as advice about buying bromeliads (available below).help,
Bromeliads can be found both at garden centers and florist shops; for the best selection, however, opt for house plant retailers who specialize in them or online sellers. When purchasing one with buds that have begun to form, will increase its lifespan in your home environment.
Keep in mind that while your bromeliad may flower for many months, it will soon die back and is best seen as a short-lived houseplant. But you can always report any young plants at its base!
Check That the Perfect Location Exists for a Bromeliad:
They prefer bright light conditions. Watering should occur via either filtered, distilled, or rainwater, and here are three online retailers of bromeliads:
- Primrose
- Bloom Box Club
- Patch Plants
- Crocus
FAQs
Q1. Do bromeliads need sun or shade?
Bromeliads thrive in bright, indirect sunlight.
Q2. Do bromeliads grow better in pots or in the ground?
Bromeliads can grow well in both pots and the ground. It depends on the climate and species.
Q3. Where do bromeliads grow the best?
Bromeliads grow best in:
- Warm,
- Humid environments, with
- Good air circulation.
Q4. Do we need to plant bromeliads in soil?
Yes, most of the bromeliads need well-draining soil. But some can grow as epiphytes attached to trees.