Some even withstand full tropical sun, while others quickly scorch.
Soil
Bromeliads grown indoors thrive in fast-drainingpotting soilthat holds moisture.
A mixture of 2/3 peat-based soil and 1/3 sand is ideal.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Or use orchid mix, charcoal, or soilless potting mix.
Many epiphytic bromeliads can be grown in containers, or grown as authenticair plantsmounted to boards or logs.
Water
Some bromeliads tolerate drought conditions, but they prefer moist, not soggy, soil.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Flush the central cup every so often to remove built-up salts.
Water the soil sparingly when the top 2 inches feel dry to the touch.
Water weekly during the growing season and reduce frequency during the winter.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Temperature and Humidity
Bromeliads need protection from the cold.
If you live in a climate with freezing temperatures, plant bromeliads in pots brought inside for the winter.
Bromeliads prefer temperatures between 60F and 85F.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Some cold-hardy types can survive temperatures down to 20F but generally, they can’t thrive under 40F.
They grow well indoors in 40-50 percent humidity.
In many climates, bromeliads can be moved outdoors during the summer.
Tom Grist Photography / Getty Images
Fertilizer
Bromeliads are not heavy feeders.
During the growing season, use a liquidfertilizerdiluted at half strength.
Avoid feeding mature plants in winter or when the plant begins to flower.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
However, the parent plant will send out one or several pups at its base.
Dab the scale bugs with a cotton swab doused with rubbing alcohol.
It will only bloom once in its lifetime.
What Does a Bromeliad Flower Look and Smell Like?
Some bromeliad flowers have a sweet scent while others do not have any smell.
The apple will give off ethylene gas as it decomposes.
Drain water from the bromeliad’s cup before attempting this.
Common Problems With Bromeliads
Though bromeliads are somewhat easy-going plants, they are prone to some problems.
This plant is sensitive to the metals it absorbs, especially copper.
It is best to water with demineralized water.
Planting them in a too-large pot without drainage can lead to rot.
The plant candevelop rotif the soil is oversaturated since these plants prefer relatively dry conditions.
Focus on filling the central “cup” formed by the leaves when watering.
After a bromeliad blooms and the flower fades, remove the stem.
The plant will begin to die but at the same time, produce new pups to propagate.
In addition, water the soil when it’s dry.
you’ve got the option to use tap water but it’s not always recommended.
Soft tap water has too much salt and hard water has too many minerals.
If using tap water, flush the plant’s tank weekly to prevent mineral build-up.
For best results, use distilled water.
To mimic the bromeliad’s natural tropical habitat, a steamy bathroom is the best spot in the house.
Bromelaids.University of Madison-Wisconsin Extension.
Selecting the right house plant could improve indoor air.American Chemical Society.
Oswego professor, students explore green solution for air quality.Oswego State University of New York.
Bromeliads.University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences.
- doi:10.4067/S0718-34292016005000027
Copper Poisoning.Sunshine Coast Bromeliad Society.
Bromeliads.University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension.
