Bromeliads – How to Grow and Care for This Tropical Plant

The bromeliad is a type of tropical plant that grows naturally in the Americas. There are several different species of the plant, the most famous probably being the pineapple. They are also an excellent plant to have at home since they thrive indoors and caring for them is pretty easy. And here we are going to explain how to properly care for your bromeliads.

Caring for Bromeliads

The first thing to consider is that the bromeliad requires a lot of indirect light. A great place in the home for a bromeliad could be next to a window that doesn’t have a constant view of the sun. If the bromeliad gets too much direct sunlight, you will notice that the leaves will quickly start to wither.

Bromeliads also do great in warm weather and humid environment. The ideal temperature for the plant is anywhere between 18°C (64.4°F) and 24°C (75.2°F). It is important not to leave your plant in temperatures less than 10 degrees for a long period of time.

Because bromeliads love moisture in the air, we are going to recreate this kind of atmosphere at home. This can be done by placing a humidifier next to the plant. If you don’t have access to one, it will suffice to place a few small bowls filled with water in the vicinity of the plant.

A convenient characteristic of the bromeliad is that it does not need too much water. In fact, watering the plant too much can even cause damage to its roots. Make sure to allow plenty of time to pass between watering so that the soil completely dries out. Also, avoid dampening the bromeliad leaves. As a general rule, it is best to add a little water to the cup in the plant’s center so that it can take in as much water as it needs.

Plant Food

Next, we need to choose which type of fertilizer to use. A green plant fertilizer usually works best, and make sure to use about half of the recommended amount from the instructions. Add the fertilizer to the soil every two to three weeks during the growing season. Also, as the plant grows, remove any dead or damaged leaves on a regular basis. This will keep your plant healthy, and it should be more aesthetically pleasing as well.

One of the things to watch out for is the presence of snails and slugs. Bromeliads tend to be quite resistant to these intruders, but they will begin to be affected by them over time. Also, be aware that bromeliads can suffer from botrytis, which is caused by a lack of ventilation in an overly humid environment.