Growing Bromeliads Indoors Overview
Growing Bromeliad Plants Indoors Overview by Bromeliads.info
Bromeliads are excellent indoor plants. They have colorful, long-lasting inflorescence and some have brilliantly colored foliage as well. Bromeliads also readily adapt to the unfavorable growing conditions that exist in most homes.
Although many bromeliads are epiphytic, living on branches and trunks of trees or on rocks in their native habitat, most can be grown in containers. Clay and plastic pots are equally satisfactory as containers unless plants are large, in which case the heavier clay pot is more stable. Because plastic pots retain moisture longer than clay pots, plants grown in the former need watering less frequently than those in the latter. Epiphytic bromeliads can also be grown in perforated plastic baskets and clay pots like those used for other epiphytic plants such as orchids.
Because bromeliads rarely have extensive roots, relatively small pots are adequate for most plants. The larger varieties can usually be brought to flowering in 5 to 7-inch pots. Terrestrial plants do not have to be moved into larger pots until their roots completely fill the current container. Move young epiphytes into pots one size larger every spring, however, until the maximum convenient pot size has been reached.
Some epiphytic bromeliads, such as the gray-scaled Tillandsia, grow poorly if planted in a conventional potting mixture. They grow best in a medium such as tree-fern bark, cork-oak bark, or on a tree-fern slab, or pieces of wood. To mount a plant on one of these materials, wrap the base of the plant (including roots, if any) in sphagnum moss, and tie the wrapped base to its support by winding plastic-coated wire around the moss and the supporting material. Fasten the ends of the wire firmly but in such a way that it can be easily untied. Hang the mounted specimens in a convenient place. Spray the sphagnum moss and plant with water frequently enough to prevent complete drying of the moss.
After supportive roots grow over the sphagnum moss and around the mount, remove the temporary wire. To keep the plant alive and healthy, water the plant, its roots, and the supportive materials twice weekly throughout the year. Water can be applied as a spray or the entire mounted plant can be submerged in water for a few minutes. The humidity around plants will influence their need for water. The humidity in a home which is heated during the winter months or cooled with air-conditioning during the summer months can be very low and plants may need to be watered more frequently than those grown in a moist environment.
May 24, 2006
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Donna M. Hughes posted on August 10, 2006:
Hi, Thanks for all the info. I just received my Bromeliad as a gift last week. It has a beautiful yellowish gold flower. I have watered it once. My concern is that my leaves are folding under at the ends. Is this a problem? Thank you for your help.
admin posted on August 15, 2006:
@ Donna - I would not think that the leaves folding under would be a big problem. Make sure that the roots are not in sitting water. If the condition worsens, make sure the soil is moist, and well drained.
Phyllis Conrade posted on August 19, 2006:
Hi. I received my Bromeliad as a gift also. I have had it for two years. The plant is growing and getting bigger. I have some questions I would like to ask you.
1.. Should I cut off the new shoots that are coming up?
2.. The end of the leaves are turning brown, what is causing them to turn brown?
3.. How do I get it to bloom again?
4.. Should I put it in a bigger pot?
Thanks for you help
admin posted on August 19, 2006:
@Phyllis - Bromeliads only bloom once in their lifetime. If you want to repeat the process you must grow the pups for one year each. After a year of growth you can place some old fruit near the roots to promote blooming.
Phyllis Conrade posted on August 20, 2006:
Thanks for getting back to me. Why are the end of the leaves turning brown? Should I put the bromeliad into a bigger pot?
admin posted on August 20, 2006:
@Phyllis - Bromeliad leaves can turn brown for many reasons. Make sure that the roots are not in sitting water. If over-watering is not the problem then make sure the soil is not too dry. Bromeliads don’t need a lot of soil, so that’s probably not the problem.
Phyllis Conrade posted on August 20, 2006:
Thank you.
mary posted on August 21, 2006:
Is there a plant food that works for these plants?
Rosalie posted on August 24, 2006:
Could you show a picture of a pup?
admin posted on August 26, 2006:
@ Rosalie - here are some picks of pups in different stages.
Bromeliad Pups
Anna posted on August 31, 2006:
My Brom’s flower is turning brown, is the plant dying? How will I know? I am trying to water it less now that I have read the other postings but shouldnt the bloom stay colorful?
Aurora posted on September 3, 2006:
Hi,
I bought my Bromeliad plant a couple of months ago. Now I see a shoot at every stalk ( 4 total) at the base of the plant. Are these what you call the pups?
Can I just take each one and root them in water before I plant them on a regular soil?
Thanks for your help
admin posted on September 4, 2006:
@Anna - Bromeliads only flower once, so the flower will not stay colorful forever.
@Aurora - Yes, those shoots are pups. If you want them to take root you should fix the pups to a piece of bark, lay them on some top soil, and keep both the soil and bark moist at all times. Good luck!
Helen Murray posted on September 8, 2006:
After they bloom, what happens to the plant?
admin posted on September 8, 2006:
@Helen - Bromeliads’ sole purpose in life after blooming is to grow pups or offspring for the next year.
Jane Bates posted on September 11, 2006:
Hello - I just received a Bromeliad as a gift. There are so many different kinds and the only thing on the tag is Bromeliad Rana. Can you identify it by this name and how should I care for it? Thanks.
Al Ott posted on September 23, 2006:
I just purchased a Bromeliad and repotted it in a clay pot from plastic and added some potting soil to the original soil-which looked like it had bark etc in it. Now it’s about 1/2 potting soil and 1/2 original soil (maybe a little less potting soil) will this be ok?
admin posted on September 24, 2006:
@Al - The soil mix should be ok. The bark is a good thing. Make sure that the mix is WELL drained. Overwatering a bromeliad is like overwatering a cactus and the roots should never be in sitting water. Good luck!
Mary Austin posted on September 24, 2006:
I received a Bromeliad as a gift almost 2 weeks ago. The 1st week it was housed in my poorly ventilated bedroom. No sunlight there. Then I put it outside. I don’t have anywhere in the apt to put it to achieve mild instead of direct sunlight either. Some leaves have developed horizontal wrinkles either toward the tip and lower by the root (?). Is it drying out or overwatered? Is it safe in my room? I have a known history as a plant murderer, help!!
admin posted on September 26, 2006:
@ Mary - Make sure the soil is moist at all times if you’re leaving your bromeliad in direct sunlight. Also keep in mind that the soil needs to be well drained, so make sure the planter is not sealed so that water can run through the soil. Good luck!
Marian posted on September 27, 2006:
hello i purchase a bromeliad at home depot because it was prettier then other cactus plants. there are no directions on how to keep up. and i forgot to ask, that’s how i found this site. my flower is pink and very different. it’s flat. what kind is it. am i not suppose to let the soil get bone dry before i water it? thanks for your help
Marian posted on September 28, 2006:
Please respond. thanks
admin posted on September 28, 2006:
@ Marian - The Home Depot Brom is most likely Vriesea type. However, many bromeliads look similar and it very well could be a one of many Vriesea. I remember when HD had that special going and I believe it was these that they were selling, but could have been different for you. Take a look at some other Vriesea bromes to see which kind you possibly have.
It is important not to overwater your brom! Like any tropical plant it is important to keep the soil moist, but the roots should never be in standing water.
Indoor Care: Water the center cups and soil with bottled drinking or rainwater every two weeks or so. When the water in the cup dries out and/or the soil becomes pretty dry, it is time to water. The plants don’t need a lot of water in the cups indoors.
Outdoor Care: Water the plants with a hose whenever you water. Be careful not to put them into direct sunlight. Bright light is best. Don’t let the plants freeze. Move them inside somewhere when the temperatures approach freezing. A small amount of fertilizer in the soil added periodically is good.
I have heard of folks who use ‘quick draining soil mixes’ in order to ensure the roots do not get too soggy for too long. Good luck and welcome to the Bromeliad family!
Marian posted on October 3, 2006:
Thank you so much for your help. i did check out the link you gave me and my species is Vriesea duvaliana. one more question, my leaves are curling under. i haven’t water my plant since your instructions. when i did i used tap water. i flushed the water through the plant and let it drain. i don’t want to kill my plant. can you help. my plant is at my desk at work. when i’m there i leave my desk light on and the plant is directly under it. is that a promblem? thanks for all your help
Sharon Douglass-Green posted on October 5, 2006:
A co-worker just gave me this plant- which “I love! The top is a pinkish red color. But I am a little confused about what is being referred to as the pups. What exactly are they? The plant is beautiful and the last thing I want to do is kill it by removing what I think to be pups and it is not. Also is it good to give it plant food? I have several plants her at work and feed them all plant food twice a year, but was wondering if this is good for the Bromeliads?
Thanks for your help in keeping a beautiful plant alive!!
Marian posted on October 9, 2006:
hello, i just wanted to let you know. friday i watered my plant with bottled water and came to work today and the leaves are out again. the bottom of the leaves are still curled under. looks like i just have to figure out when the right time to water according to my work tempature. thanks for the tips.
GREG ANDREWS posted on October 10, 2006:
CAN YOU RECOMMEND ANY WEBSITES FOR BUYING BROMELIADS?
THANK YOU,
GREG ANDREWS
Doris posted on October 22, 2006:
My bromeliads have tiny black spots with a yellow circle around them. How do I treat this issue?
Cathey Cook posted on October 23, 2006:
I recently received a bromeliad for my birthday and love it. This site has been very helpful in knowing how to care for it. Thanks, Cathey
Marian posted on November 14, 2006:
I need help with my Bromeliad. I may have too much light on it. My Bromeliad is on my desk under my desk lamp and the color is fading. It is leaning. I got the watering down, but what’s wrong now? Please Help!
Betty Gautier posted on November 19, 2006:
Hi…My bromeliad is red with yellow swirls but the color has gone to brown. Will the color come back. I think it may have gotten too dry but it happened inside the house. It did great on my front porch during the summer. I hope I haven’t killed it.
Jutermo posted on January 11, 2007:
Marian,
Take your plant out from under your work light. The information on this site says the plants like filtered light.
louise posted on January 12, 2007:
i just got a bromeliad the flower is not open yet..the soil is still wet, but the tips are curled in, so i just put a little water inside the cup…Do you think thats to much water?
thank you,
Louise
rick trani posted on January 30, 2007:
Hi, Last summer I bought a bromeliad because it’s flower bloomed so beautifully. I thought it would add a little color and life to my home. It did all of what I wanted and a lot more. The purity of the color (pink) and the duration of the bloom amazed me. To my surprise I learned how to grow them without spending too much. I made a few mistakes so I keep coming back here to refresh my too short memory.Your instructions were good and I tried to follow them but made a few mistakes. I will never again pour water/fertilizer down the cup of a bromeliad or any other plant. I have six pups potted. but wonder if I should revert to a 50/50 soil mix like you said. they don’t seem to be growing as well as the first two did in summer time.
John Richardson posted on February 24, 2007:
I purchased a beautiful Bromeliad at Lowes. I beleive the species is Bromeliaceae (that’s what it says on the card). Care directions are vague. For pruning, it says “remove spent blooms” How far down do I remove? The bloom has lost it’s color (pink) and appears to be drying out and it has what seem to be a lot of little pink flowers developing all over in the original bloom. Can you help? I don’t want to loose it, it was so beautiful.
Charlotte posted on March 10, 2007:
My Bromeliad has a pinkish rose color. It has started turning brown though. I have noticed it has what appears to be 2 small flowers growing from the base. Are they pups? Do I need to replant them? What type of Fertilizer should I use on it.
Louise posted on March 25, 2007:
My bromiliard bloom is dying, resque me please
Courtney posted on April 3, 2007:
I just got my bromieliad. It has a red feather like stalk from the center, but it looks in bad condition. All of its leaves are curling inwards and some of them are starting to be completely yellow. It hasn’t had any pups yet. Am I watering it too much or too little? And should I fill the cup from the top or near the bottom leaves? thanks
admin posted on April 4, 2007:
@ Courtney. I’m pretty sure the species of Bromeliad you have is called Vriesea splendens. Check out my Bromeliad Plant Growing Specifications - Vriesea Splendens and Hybrids post, for more tips on caring for this specific Bromeliad!
Are you fertilizing your bromeliad? The turning yellow sounds under-fed, and the curling of the leaves sounds as if you’re over-feeding. Over fertilizing can cause the plant leaves to brown or even curl.
Before deciding that a plant is over or underfed, evaluate other variables such as light, temperature, and proper watering practices. The closer each of these conditions comes to a plant’s ideal, the better its prospects for living a long, productive life. And be sure to inspect your plant for insects.
Check out Troubleshooting Bromeliad Plants Part One and Part Two! I hope some of this information helps give you a better idea of what the problem, cause, and remedies are to some of your problems.
Tracy posted on April 21, 2007:
I have a brom and it has sprouted three pups. When do I remove these? Also, the mother plant’s center is turning brown and slimy with a white goo on it. The slimy look is at the base of the leaves going abotu half way down. What should I do?? What is this???
admin posted on April 23, 2007:
@ Tracy. It sounds like the parent plant has gotten too much water in the reservoir, and is beginning to rot. I’d suggest spraying your bromeliad’s leaves until thoroughly wet, and then dribble water slowly into the pot, instead of into the reservoir (from now, until the plant dies).
The mother plant is going to slowly die off (this is normal), but be sure to wait until the parent plant is nearly dead to remove the pups. If desired, you can try to trim back the failing leaves of the parent plant to give the pups more light, but do not remove the pups to soon (this is very important), the offsets feed off of the deteriorating tissues of the parent plant.
Remove and repot the pups when they are one-third to one-half the size of the parent plant. It may be a good idea for the first 3 to 4 weeks after repotting offsets, to enclose them in a plastic bag to maintain very humid conditions.
You may throw out the parent plant (sorry), it is dead; but look at it this way, you now have 3 new babies to grow!
For more specific information on how and when to remove your 3 pups, check out my post on Caring For Bromeliads - Propagating, also my Bromeliads Propagation Overview!
I hope some of this information helps, happy growing!
thenewlindens posted on May 10, 2007:
I have the same question as John Richardson
posted on February 24, 2007. Thats what brought me to this page. I trying to fiqure out WHERE to dead head this flower.
posted on February 24, 2007
I purchased a beautiful Bromeliad at Lowes. I beleive the species is Bromeliaceae (that’s what it says on the card). Care directions are vague. For pruning, it says “remove spent blooms” How far down do I remove? The bloom has lost it’s color (pink) and appears to be drying out and it has what seem to be a lot of little pink flowers developing all over in the original bloom. Can you help? I don’t want to loose it, it was so beautiful.
Any help from anyone would be great!
Thanks!
Kristin Fenetz posted on May 29, 2007:
Please help! I purchased my Bromeliad about 2 months ago. The bloom was red and beautiful. I keep my plant inside in front of my window(alot of time the blindes are closed). I keep the cup filled with bottled water at all times and I water the soil about every one to two weeks. In the last week the top of my bloom has turned yellowish/brown and seems to be dead but the bottom is still red. Also the plant never grow up it grow to the side. Can I save my plant? What should I do? Should take the top part out?
admin posted on May 30, 2007:
@ Kristin. When the bloom ceases to be ornamental (or is dieing), just chop it off with cutters or a sharp pair of scissors. Since 99% of all bromeliads bloom only once, the plant’s energy is now being redirectied into growing the next generation of plants. If your plant hasn’t done so already, it will soon start producing offsets called “pups”. See my post on Caring For Bromeliads - Propagating for more information on what to do when it the time comes to remove and pot your new pups! You may also want to check out Blooming Bromeliads Again, to help you with some of your questions.
As for your plant growing to the side, I’d recommend staking it into place until your pups have fully developed.
I hope this information helps, happy growing!
Maryann posted on June 4, 2007:
So about what is the life of the parent plant, does it vary? Just wondering, I have one….just got it, large pink spiked looking bloom, rather large leaves also! Just wondering the average life cycle time? Do the pups usually come right after the bloom dies?
admin posted on June 7, 2007:
@ Maryann. A bromeliad can live anywhere from 1-6 years; the life cycle does vary from one bromeliad to the next (great guess)! Without knowing for sure what kind of bromeliad you own, that’s about the best answer I can give you. But please check out my post titled Getting To Know Eight Beautiful Bromeliads, to help you identify your species. You’ll also find some tips on how to care for each kind of bromeliad.
Some species develop offsets before they flower, but it is more typical to see pups emerging after the parent plant has bloomed and begun to decline. See my post Caring For Bromeliads - Propagating for more information on what to do with your pups and when to do it.
I hope this information helps. Happy Growing!
LYNN Casson posted on August 5, 2007:
my husband has just bought me one i dont know what to do with it how do i water and feed it.
Becky posted on September 11, 2007:
Hey, I just read through all 46 of those posts, and im sure the information is useful..for those who know a litle about plants. Me??? Know nothing. 1st time plant owner.
And I would like to know the samething 47 wants to know!
Thx
Sarah posted on September 19, 2007:
I have two bromeliads, both of which are doing great (one even has two pups coming up) except that the top few rows of the bloom are turning brown and brittle… is this from over/under watering? Can I cut the big bloom out and let the pups grow in the pot?
Christina posted on October 3, 2007:
Hi I just purchased a Bromeliad. I would like to know if the flower will blossom again, or does it just fall off and remain leaves only?
Thanks!
Tammy posted on October 15, 2007:
My indoor bromeliad has developed a soft powdery white coating on the leaves. What is this? Is it a fungus? Should I bother with trying to remove it? and with what? Thanks.
Heather posted on October 24, 2007:
A wonderful site- I have been working with six different types of brom and am in love with them- care and propagation worry like a new parent. My question revolves around one species with a variegated leaf and a phenomenal flat red layered flower…the pups come up from the center of this one and I am not certain how to remove them. Your care and propagation section has easy to follow directions for the ones that offshoot from the side- what about these from the center? Thx.
amber posted on October 24, 2007:
i work at a flower/plant shop and my boss was going to get rid of a brom we had in there but i rescued it before it went in the trash. the leaves look vibrant and healthy but the flower is a light brown, where it should be red. reading through this site has not given me much hope of resurrecting this plant, but i was wondering if you could give me some pointers on bringing it back to health. thanks! (p.s. no pups visible, and i dont think its more than a year old)
Rebecca Quesenberry posted on October 30, 2007:
Hi, I would like to know.. if my plant is dead..
my little brother got it for me for my birthday and I never had one before. I think I may have waterd it to much. some of the leaves were brown so i was pulling them off ( I don’t know if I should have done that) anyway…… I was pulling them off and the whole plant came off….. not the roots, but the pant it self. will it grow again ?? or is it dead?? I really liked it!! I think it needed to be in a clay pot. please let me know
thank you.
P.S. not all of the leaves were brown.
nancy casteel posted on November 8, 2007:
are these plants safe around small children?
Thanks in advance!
Debbie Finnerty posted on November 11, 2007:
My sister bought a Bromeliad Guzmania today, and has asked if they are dangerous to house pets. Nothing I have read has indicated any dangerous features. Can
you confirm this?
Thank you,
Debbie Finnerty
Elizabeth posted on December 8, 2007:
Hi! I recently ‘rescued’ what I believe (after reading thru above) to be a Vriesea splendens. It was not-so-healthy when I bought it on clearance from Lowe’s but I was sure I could help it out.
Appears as though I should’ve left it. I put it outside for some natural sunlight 2 days ago. Forgot about it. Went to get it this morning and something else got it first.
All it’s leaves are shredded on 1 half! =[ Will they grow back w/ extra special care or is my new little one a gonner?
Please help! Thank you!
Teresa posted on January 5, 2008:
I repotted my brom and now the color is fading. What can I do to help the color return? Fertilizer, water, light??????????
Mary posted on January 19, 2008:
What do I do with the blossom when it dies? Do I cut it back or off? Thanks
mike posted on January 23, 2008:
hi,
i would like info on how to grow a cutting of this plant.
please can someone give me some advice
thank you
Julie posted on January 29, 2008:
Hi i just bought a Bromelaid for my work mate. And we went on our christmas break. When we got back the flowers were dead how do we bring it back to life???
Kare posted on February 5, 2008:
I have been nominated in our office to take care of the Bromeliad we received as a gift. The only instructions that came with the plant are watering and light, but I don’t know what to do with the flowers as they die off and will it re-bloom. I have see new leaves grow but no signs of flowers. Any help is greatly apprecitated.
Melanie posted on February 21, 2008:
I just got a Bromeliad for my birthday, it came with no tag or anything. I actaully Identified it by looking at exotic flowers (thanks proflowers!) But I have no idea how to care for it. Some places say just moist the dirt, others say just water and let dry. It’s got large green leaves, and the middle is red, and there’s water sitting within it’s leaves, not the dirt itself. If that makes sense, like celery, it’s in the stalks I guess you can say. Is that how it’s watered? So confused!! And as far as “pups” are, what do they look like I have not been able to find pic so I know what they look like. Thanks so much
Crystal Ann posted on March 4, 2008:
I just got my first bromeliad…a vriesea carinata to be exact. i found out the exact species by searching on google and matching many pictures.
I’m thinking the admin must be on a vacation or something…so maybe i could help. all of the info i know is what I’ve read on this site and a few other sites…but here goes!
hints on keeping bromeliads alive:
soil- moist, but never let the roots sit in water. not soggy.
to water - use bottled drinking water, a hose or rain water. water when the center cups dry out and/or the soil becomes dry. pour water into center cups, little bits in soil.
sunlight - filtered, try not to have in in direct sunlight, can quickly dry up the plant.
outdoors - keep in safe place, its probably best if animals don’t chew on it…for the plant and the animal, better to be safe then sorry. no direct sunlight, summer is a great time of year for it to be outside as long as you keep it moist and sheltered. fertilizer every once and a while is okay.
bromeliads adapt to their environment well, but don’t neglect them too much or they’ll dry out and wither away.
I’ll be back to answer more questions when i can, but if you read throughout this site, most of the answers are somewhere, just read a bunch!
Wanda posted on March 11, 2008:
I’ve just received a bromeliad as a gift. It is a green plant with a yellow flower in the center. How do I water it? I was told to only water it through the flower in the center.
Tara posted on March 13, 2008:
I have a bromeliad that has a huge orange pineappple looking top. Are the bottom of all the leaves the cups you are talking about keeping water in? I’ve done that but noticed that the leaves are starting to turn brown at the base. Please help!
Loei posted on March 26, 2008:
How much light inside does my bromeliad need ? THANKS
Leslie posted on March 26, 2008:
Hi!
I have a had my brom for almost a year now and when I mist my plant it smells like ash. Is this supposed to happen? It just started smelling this way within the last 3 weeks. Thanx!
Emily posted on April 27, 2008:
Hi,
I bought two beautiful bromeliads with a bright red flower. They were in excellent condition when i bought them. But now the leaves have turned dry and brown as well as the flower! It looks dead.This happened over a space of 2 weeks, I have been careful not to overwater, and there is water in the cup. Its positioned in a light airy room. i always wait until the soil is a little dry until i water, but im just losing a battle here! i hope you can help!! thanks
Joyce Byerly posted on May 12, 2008:
I am a first time grower of two Bromeliads. My flowers feel like paper. Is this the time to cut off the flowers, or will they wilt down. I don’t know what they are suppose to look like, when it is time to cut the flower. I have had these plants since Jan. 08. I have already potted two pups. Thank you for your time. Joyce