Table of Contents
Following a few simple steps can keep you enjoying bromeliads, both indoors and out, for several seasons. Provide bright light without direct sun exposure. Maintain optimal humidity. Keep air flowing around the plants. Make sure the plants stay moist but not soggy. Provide adequate drainage. Fertilize sparingly.
How often do you water a bromeliad plant?
As bromeliads prefer to dry out in home environments, you only need to water your plant every other week or so. You’ll want to water both the soil and cup, making sure to keep the latter only halfway full to prevent rot.
Do bromeliads only flower once?
Bromeliads often have both striking foliage as well as flowers. However, a bromeliad will only bloom once throughout its lifespan. Plus, once it’s finished blooming, it signals that its “pups”—or little bromeliad suckers—are on their way. Once the flower finishes blooming, you’ll want to remove them.
How do you keep bromeliads blooming?
Use a well draining soil mix. Keep the center of the bromeliad filled with water and add diluted liquid seaweed or diluted compost tea once every two weeks. This will encourage the young bromeliad to flourish and grow up so it can be ready to bloom.
What is the best way to water a bromeliad?
It is best to water your bromeliad with rainwater or distilled water. The chemicals that are present in some tap water can be damaging to these sensitive plants. Slow growth or browning of leaf tips are often signs of hard water usage.
How do I know if my bromeliad is healthy?
One way you can be sure your bromeliad is turning brown because it’s drying out is to check the pups. If they’re healthy and looking good, then the plant is on the way out. If you’re keep the growing medium too wet, then the lower leaves will turn brown and ultimately turn mushy.
Should I cut the dead flower off my bromeliad?
Well, it might sound harsh, but once your bromeliad bloom has begun to die, you can cut it off! Bromeliads are known for their exotic, long-lasting flowers. These tropical plants can bloom for months, in fact. By cutting off the bromeliad’s dying flower, you can help the plant refocus its energy on these new pups.
When should I repot my bromeliad?
A young bromeliad can benefit from a repotting if they are outgrowing their container. This is best done in the spring. Most full sized bromeliads will not require a planter pot larger than 6 inches. Using a larger plant container than needed can lead to over-watering issues.
Is bromeliad an indoor plant?
Bromeliads make great low-maintenance indoor plants as they don’t require much sun and only need to be watered about once a week when kept indoors. As bromedliads love humidity, be sure to keep them away from air conditioning and cold draughts and mist with a spray bottle every couple of days.
What is the best fertilizer for bromeliads?
Feed urn plants using low-nitrogen 10-20-20 fertilizer, or use a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer diluted to half strength. Apply the fertilizer to the center of its foliage rosette and water thoroughly to distribute the nutrients around the roots.
How long does a bromeliad live?
Bromeliads live for two to five years. They’re one of those plants that blooms once when it hits maturity, and then slowly dies off as it puts all its energy into producing new plants, called pups. Bromeliad blooms last up to six months, so you get a long-lived bloom for the plant’s lone flower show.
Why are my bromeliad leaves turning brown?
Brown and dry leaves are most likely caused by a lack of moisture. This could mean you’re not watering enough, your plant is in an environment with low humidity or a combination of both.
Are bromeliads easy to care for?
Bromeliad plant care is easy and requires no special tools or fertilizers. These plants collect all the food and moisture they need with their leaves but need a little help from you in the indoor setting.
How do you save a dying bromeliad?
Examine the Bromeliad Examine the Bromeliad. Check the bromeliad’s soil for light, even moistness. Switch to Distilled Water. Pour the water out of the plant’s center cup, and refill the center cup with distilled water. Adjust the Plant’s Light Level. Monitor the light levels the bromeliad receives. Mist the Bromeliad.
How do you save an overwatered bromeliad?
Remove the plant from the substrate. Dip it in a fungicide or a root hormone that also contains fungicide. Then, stake it up in a well draining potting medium or next to a healthy bromeliad. The bromeliad should recover and develop roots.
What does an overwatered bromeliad look like?
Confusing as it may sound, bromeliad leaves turning brown – even the tips turning brown – can also indicate too much water. The difference here is that browning leaves as a result of underwatering feel dry and crisp, while overwatered leaves usually feel soft and mushy.
Should I mist my bromeliad?
You may need to mist a bromeliad regularly if the humidity is less than ideal (60%). Be sure to mist when your plant’s leaves are dry, but before they are exposed to any direct sun. For those living in climates with a colder season, you will want to consider planting your bromeliads in containers.
How much sunlight does a bromeliad need?
How much light does a bromeliad need? Bromeliad plants do best when they receive 5+ hours of bright indirect light each day.
What causes brown spots on bromeliads?
Bromeliads are usually not too particular about the amount of light they receive, but if they get too much direct sunlight, they can scorch. Brown tips or light brown spots on the leaves are indications that the plant is getting too much sun.
Why are my bromeliad leaves curling?
The most common cause of leaf curling in bromeliad plants has to do with watering issues. More specifically, the leaves will start to curl when the bromeliad plant isn’t getting enough water. You can check the soil to see if it has started to get dry, and if it has, then it’ll be time to water it.
