Bromeliads
All air plants, or Tillandsia, are Bromeliads. Not all Bromeliads are air plants, though.
Bromeliads can live without soil, as they are epiphytes. Most commonly, the ones we find in stores are planted in soil. Those same plants can be mounted upright onto objects or planted in very shallow soil.
Bromeliads are low-maintenance house plants, perfect for beginner gardeners.
Most Popular Types
Guzmania are tall with bright flower bracts. Neoregelia are shorter plants with wide colorful leaves. Vriesea feature tropical feather-like blooms.
Light
Bright, indirect sun or dappled shade. Usually the varieties with flexible leaves prefer lower light levels, while the ones with stiff leaves prefer bright indirect sunlight.
Temperatures
Bromeliads prefer temperatures between 60 and 85°F. Most cannot withstand temps below 40°F.
Watering
Watering is either done by filling the center depression with distilled water or by moistening the soil and misting the plant. If you water the center, flush it every couple of weeks to remove salts.
Water infrequently during the winter.
These plants should be potted in small containers to reduce excess moisture held by large amounts of soil.
Toxicity
Non-toxic to animals or humans.
Growth
Many Bromeliads have very showy flowers. They are monocarpic, blooming only once, sometimes for several months. After the bloom fades, cut the flower stalk at its base. The main plant should then grow pups, or offsets.
It may take three years for a Bromeliad to grow to full height, up to 18 inches.
Fertilize during the summer growing season if the plant is not in bloom. Do not fertilize in the winter.
To force blooms: drain the central cup of any water, and place your plant in a tightly sealed clear plastic bag with a ripe apple for up to 10 days. The ethylene gas from the apple can force the plant to bloom.
Origin
Tropical North and South America
Propagation
Watch for pups growing on the side of the main plant. When they get to at least 1/3 the size of the main plant, you can pop them off.
If the offset doesn’t yet have roots, they will develop when the plant is potted.
Dormancy
Active growing season is summer.
Bromeliad vriesea varieties
Bromeliad Vriesea are available in many bright colors.
Bromeliad vriesea bloom
Bromeliad Vriesea has very showy blooms that last for months.
Bromeliad neoregelia
Bromeliad Neoregalia has showy leaves and small flowers in the center cup.
Bromeliad Neoregalia Pink
Neoregalia bromeliads have leaves that vary in color depending on variety.
Bromeliad guzman
Bromeliad guzman flowers provide a burst of color to your plantings.
Aechmea fasciata bromeliad
The silver vase bromeliad, Aechmea Fasciata, has blue flowers in a pink cluster.
Workshops at Growing Hobby
Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.