Bromeliads can grow in a variety of ways, including terrestrially (on the ground), saxicolous (on rocks), and epiphytically (on other plants and trees). They often have vivid red, orange, purple, or blue flowers.
Many bromeliads have overlapping, rigid leaves that act as rain barrels. In these reservoirs, leaves and other detritus aid in the growth of single-celled algae and other organisms, which in turn provide food for mosquitoes, insect larvae, and other creatures. Animals like tree frogs, snails, flatworms, tiny crabs, and salamanders may spend their entire lives inside a bromeliad, which is like a miniature ecosystem unto itself.
Care
In order to bloom, bromeliads typically require a set of conditions that varies from genus to genus and even from species to species within the same genus. Day length, humidity, temperature, water, and feeding all have an impact on their blooming cycle.
Most bromeliads are planted in a mixture of potting soil and sand when grown as indoor plants. Water is applied by either saturating the ground or by pouring liquid into the depression (“cup”) in the center of the leaf rosette. Bromeliads can also be cultivated without soil by attaching or gluing the plant to something that will keep it standing.
Light
Unless you are certain that your bromeliad enjoys a different level of light, provide strong, indirect light. Several genera of bromeliads are tolerant of varied degrees of light. Varieties with stiff, hard leaves demand bright indirect light, whereas those with flexible, spineless, soft leaves prefer lower light levels. Some are able to survive even the strongest tropical sun, while others immediately scorch.
Dark green or elongated plants may be receiving insufficient light, whereas plants that become yellowish may be receiving too much. If the other circumstances are suitable, increasing the plant’s exposure to light might encourage blooming.
Soil
Indoor bromeliads do best in potting soil that drains quickly but retains moisture. Typically, the appropriate soil composition is two thirds peat-based soil and one third sand. You can also use soilless potting mix, charcoal, or orchid mix. Several epiphytic bromeliads can be cultivated in pots, or you can try growing them as real “air plants” affixed to logs or boards (typically secured with ties or glue).
Water
Certain bromeliads can withstand droughts while being native to humid, tropical regions, but they prefer damp, not soggy, soil. It’s typically not required to maintain the plant’s center cup regularly topped out with water in a typical home. But, if the temperature and light levels are high, this is a possibility. If you do centrally water your bromeliad, be sure to periodically flush the central cup to get rid of any salt buildup. Generally speaking, however, it is sufficient to water these plants very lightly via the soil once a week throughout the growing season and less frequently during the winter resting period. Because bromeliads are prone to root rot, never allow the plant to rest in standing water.
Before watering, wait until the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch. The plants you are growing as epiphytes (air plants without soil) require additional care; sprinkle them with a spray bottle and bathe them thoroughly once a week.
Temperature and Humidity
Although bromeliads can tolerate a range of temperatures, most need shelter from the cold. Consider growing bromeliads in pots that can be taken indoors during the winter if you want to include these plants in your landscape but live in an area with cold weather. The ideal temperature range for bromeliads is between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the fact that some cold-hardy species can endure temperatures as low as 20, they shouldn’t typically be exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees. 1 In an environment with 40–50% humidity, they thrive. Bromeliads can be moved outdoors throughout the summer in many climates. Keep in mind that bromeliads can only be grown in trees or in tropical, damp, shaded forest floors. For your plants, try to reproduce those circumstances.
Fertilizer
Bromeliads do not require a lot of food. Use a liquid fertilizer that has been diluted to half strength during the growing season. When the plant starts to bloom or over the winter, avoid feeding established plants.
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