Bromeliad

Bromeliads are a diverse family of plants from the Americas that includes pineapples, Spanish moss, and many popular houseplants. The showy types grown indoors, such as Guzmania and Aechmea, form a rosette of strappy leaves around a central reservoir, or tank, that holds water.

From the center rises a vivid, long-lasting bloom spike whose color comes mostly from bracts rather than the small true flowers. A single bract display can stay colorful for months.

After blooming the parent rosette slowly dies, but it leaves behind offsets (pups) that grow into the next generation.

Recognize a tank bromeliad by:

• Rosette: stiff, strap-like leaves arranged in a circle
• Central cup: a watertight reservoir formed where the leaf bases overlap
• Bloom spike: a bright, long-lasting structure of colorful bracts (red, orange, pink, yellow)
• True flowers: small and short-lived, tucked among the bracts
• Pups: offsets that form at the base after flowering

• Light: bright, indirect light; many tolerate medium light
• Water: keep the central cup filled with fresh water and the soil lightly moist; flush the cup periodically to prevent stagnation
• Humidity: moderate to high
• Soil: very fast-draining, airy mix (orchid or bromeliad mix)
• Temperature: 60-80 degrees F
• Feeding: light feeding; dilute fertilizer in the cup or on soil sparingly
• Propagation: separate and pot up pups once they reach about a third of the parent's size

Bromeliads are native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, from the southern United States through Central and South America. Many grow as epiphytes on tree branches in humid rainforests, while others are terrestrial or grow on rocks.

Guzmania lingulata hails from the rainforests of Central and northern South America. Bromeliads are grown worldwide as colorful, long-blooming houseplants.

Bromeliads are grown as ornamental plants for their dramatic, long-lasting colored bracts, popular as gift and display plants. They are non-toxic and pet-safe. Ecologically, the water-holding tanks of wild bromeliads form tiny ecosystems that shelter insects, frogs, and other small animals.