Bromeliads are members of the Bromeliaceae plant family. They typically have striking, sword-shaped leaves and a bright, unusual-looking bloom, which is actually a bract surrounding an insignificant flower. They hail from tropical rainforests, where they grow naturally on the bark of trees, rather than in the ground. Their roots are used to grip on to their host, and they get moisture from a central ‘tank’ or ‘vase’ in the middle of the rosette of leaves that fills with water whenever it rains. In the wild, frogs sometimes raise their young in these tanks.
In the UK, bromeliads are grown as house plants. The most famous member of the bromeliad family is the pineapple (Ananas comosus), which can be grown indoors, although the fruit is not edible. Other bromeliads include the urn plant, Aechmea fasciata, the flaming sword plant, Vriesea splendens and the quill plant,Tillandsia (tiny air plants are also tillandsias).
Guzmanias are tall, with pineapple-like flowers, while Billbergia nutans is known as ‘queen’s tears’ as the pink flowers drip with nectar when touched or moved. Neoregelia carolinae f. tricolor is known as the tri-colour blushing bromeliad as the centre of its rosette of bold foliage turns pink-red (blushes) before it flowers. Cryptanthus are known as ‘earth stars’ thanks to their star-shaped foliage.
Once bromeliads have bloomed, they die back, so they’re not long-lived house plants. They produce new plants at the base, however, which can be potted up and grown on.
Bromeliads are easy to care for so are a good choice for beginners.
How to grow bromeliadsBromeliads do best in a warm room with plenty of bright light. They need watering via their central ‘vase’, which should be kept topped up at all times.
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