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Bromeliads are members of the Bromeliaceae plant family. They typically have striking, sword-shaped leaves and a bright, unusual-looking bloom, which is actually a bract surrounding an insignificant flower. They hail from tropical rainforests, where they grow naturally on the bark of trees, rather than in the ground.
How do you take care of a bromeliad plant?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where is the best place to plant bromeliads?
Where to Grow Bromeliads. Bromeliads grow best in bright, indirect light, both indoors and out. Don’t put them where the afternoon sun will shine directly on their leaves, as that can cause them to burn, but don’t stick them in a dark corner, either.
What do you do with a bromeliad after it blooms?
To remove a spent bloom, use a sharp, sterilized blade and cut the bloom stalk. Make a clean cut as close to the remaining plant as possible without harming it. Once you’ve removed the bloom, you can toss it in the trash or compost. Don’t neglect your bromeliad just because it finished blooming.
How often should I water my bromeliad?
Watering needs 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.
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.
Is a pineapple a bromeliad?
Flowers and foliage Pineapple plants are a type of Bromeliad, and the pineapples themselves are the fruit of the plant. Bromeliads are special because each plant only ever bears one fruit. So once the pineapple itself is past its best, keep the parent plant and watch for it producing baby plants around the base.
What months do bromeliads bloom?
First, let’s start off with a few facts: With a few exceptions, bromeliads only bloom once. However, the blooms last an exceptionally long time — months or even up to a year. Bromeliads grow and bloom year round. It’s always bromeliad season!.
Are bromeliads worth it?
Bromeliad flowers are such unexpected forms and colors. When the blooms are spent, the plant is still spectacular, but you miss the vibrant flower tones. It is quite a long time to wait, but may well be worth it since these plants need little special care.
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.
Can you plant bromeliads in the ground?
Bromeliads prefer a loose and well drained soil. Enrich sandy soils with lots of organic matter by tilling it 4- to 6-inches into the ground. Plant the new shoots by pushing them into the ground so the stems are held upright and firmly in place.
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 long will bromeliads 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.
What plants go well with bromeliads?
Plants that compliment bromeliads Dracaenas and Cordylines. Aroids eg Anthurium, Philodendron, Alocasia, Caladium. Certain palms. Cycads. Deciduous plants eg Frangipani. Begonias.
Are bromeliads annuals or perennials?
Bromeliads are perennial monocotyledons — plants that have one seed leaf like lilies or corn, rather than two seed leaves like roses or beans. Their seeds have a food reserve, which means bromeliads can be grown like most other plants.
How do you get bromeliads to rebloom?
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.
How long does it take a bromeliad pup to flower?
Once the pup is well-rooted, provide it with more light. Adequate light is critical to get the plant that grows from the pup to eventually bloom. Blooming, with good care, generally will occur one to three years after separation from the parent plant.
