Bromeliads are among the most brightly colored, exotic, tropical flowering houseplants. While many are small air plants or epiphytes, the highly decorative potted bromeliads originate in the depths of South American jungles. They are adapted to perch in the crotches of jungle trees and cover canyon walls.
The layers of stiff overlapping leaves catch rainwater and funnel it into a pocket at the center of the plant. Pockets also catch debris that decomposes to release nitrogen in the water so algae and other single-celled organisms become established there. The nutritious soup is a whole ecosystem in itself, making bromeliads a favorite haunt of insect larvae in the wild. Tree frogs, snails, tiny crabs and salamanders can live their entire life within a single large bromeliad, feeding on the riches of these soupy reservoirs.
Wild species brought into greenhouse cultivation formed the basis for hundreds of modern hybrids sold in the houseplant section of the home improvement store or garden center. Cryptanthus and Neoregelia are genera valued for their uniquely colored and striated leaves, which add perennial interest indoors. More common Billbergia, Guzmania and Aechmea bear all sorts of vivid, unusual blooms, but don’t offer the foliage striation.
Among the larger bromeliads, the stiffer leaf types tend to grow in sunnier drier habitats. Soft flexible leaf bromeliads are adapted to the shady conditions of the rainforest. The former may prove far better adapted to arid Western zones due to perpetually low humidity levels.
No matter what kind you select for this year’s centerpiece or for accents, these basics will help you both understand the culture of terrestrial bromeliads so they live long in your home or garden.
The bromeliad blooms only once in its lifespan. Blooms are produced about three years after planting. In preparation to bloom, the plant shifts its energy from producing foliage to development of the bloom stalk. The bloom spikes are almost always neon bright and offer intense color relished by florists and interior designers. But it is the long duration of these blooms, sometimes over two months, that makes them so popular over the holidays.
Bromeliad crops are shipped by greenhouse growers just as the bloom is reaching fill size. Once the bloom fades, it discolors and should be cut away at the base of the stalk. If you buy a vivid foliage type, you still have a great-looking plant that can live for up to two years after the flower is gone. The plant itself will not grow larger and gradually declines with time.
Once flowering begins, the bromeliad’s other task is to produce offsets or “pups” at the base of each plant. They will be genetically identical to the parent plant, and if left in place can grow just as large with time. Pups can be gently separated and used to propagate new plants.
The rule of thumb is to grow hard leaf bromeliads in bright filtered light. Keep clear of heating ducts and vents that can rapidly dehydrate humidity lovers. Avoid cold drafts, too. Make sure your bromeliad never sits in water collected in saucer, pot or plastic wrap. They take persistent moisture only with absolutely perfect drainage.
One way to water bromeliads is by placing them in the shower to mimic rain so water can collect in the little leaf pockets as it should. This is why bromeliads are perfect for bright bathroom decor, where they thrive in shower steam or above the kitchen sink.
Rather than invest in pricier short-lived plants, consider bromeliads for this year’s winter color. They are outstanding in modern homes and accent a variety of contemporary interiors styles. Those with striated leaves offer the longest period of visual interest that last all winter until you bring it out on the patio next summer.
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Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer. Learn more at www.MoPlants.com
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