Bromeliads are a very unique grouping of plants found natively throughout tropical and subtropical America. Interestingly, the term bromeliads does not refer to a single species, or even a single genus, but a whole family with many different genera and species. Believe it or not, pineapples are considered bromeliads from a scientific perspective (Bromeliaceae, 2021).
Young bromeliads sometimes grow for several years before they bloom, at which point their life is nearly over. Blooming is one of the last things a bromeliad does before it begins to deteriorate. How depressing! But thankfully, a bromeliad will often send up shoots–called pups–toward the end of its life which can be harvested and grown individually to generate clones of the parent plant.
In the wild, some bromeliads are epiphytes; they grow on trees as non-parasites. And in cultivation, it’s an accepted fact that bromeliads generally require very little nutrition. An orchid mix often works well as a growing media, and a soluble fertilizer–diluted to 1/8 or 1/4 strength and applied 1-2 times per month during the warm months of the year (VanZile, 2021) — will meet their nutritional needs.
Sometimes bromeliads will do just fine in medium light, but certain genera will require bright indirect light. In general, bromeliads with soft, spineless leaves require less light than those with stiffer, stouter leaves (Ibid.).
Although bromeliads will actually tolerate drought quite well, do not forget about water altogether. One way to maintain a happily hydrated bromeliad is to keep the “cup” in the center of the plant filled with water. Be sure to change the water routinely so it does not stagnate.
These beautiful natives of the tropical New World continue to be taken far and wide for their showy colors and festive flare. Indeed, God must have smiled and thought of growers in the 21st century when He made bromeliads. We hope that you too will smile every time you care for your cheerful specimen or excitedly show it to a friend.
Sources
Andrychowicz, A. (n.d.) Everything You Need To Know About How To Care For Bromeliads. Retrieved 8/10/21 from https://getbusygardening.com/bromeliad-plant-care/#Bromeliad_Plant_Watering_Tips
Bromeliaceae (2021). Retrieved 8/10/21 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromeliaceae
Grant, B. L. (2021). Growing a Bromeliad and How to Care for a Bromeliad Plant. Retrieved 8/10/21 from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/bromeliad/growing-bromeliad-plants.htm
VanZile, J. (2021). How to Grow and Care for Bromeliads. Retrieved 8/10/21 from https://www.thespruce.com/grow-bromeliads-indoors-1902667