How to grow Bromeliads

Instructions

Bromeliads are a tropical plant that look great all year round in the garden, and they’re a great feature indoors or out. Take proper care of a bromeliad plant and you’ll have a long-lasting unique house or garden plant that is also low maintenance. Growing them is easy as – this guide will show you how.

Plant Type

Bromeliads come in a variety of colors. Some have a stalk with a large showy flower on top, while others have small flowers which appear deep inside the cup. There are a wide range to choose from:

Location

• Most bromeliads are epiphytes – which means their roots are only there to hold them in place.
• You can plant them straight into the ground, or in a pot, but they do really well growing on other things like plants, rocks, or logs.
• They like bright light, but not prolonged periods of direct sun. Dappled light locations are best.
• Most importantly, they need free draining soil.
• Never put a new plant straight out into the sun, as it will get sunburnt.

Timing

Bromeliads can be grown and planted at any time of the year.

Soil

• Bromeliads love rich, organic matter in their soil.
• They must have excellent drainage.
• Add some gypsum to help break down heavy soil.

Planting

Planting into ground:

• Dig your hole about the size of the pot the plant came in, making sure it is free-draining.
• Add some garden mix and sheep pellets.
• Place plants and back fill with soil.
• Lightly water.
• Add a layer of mulch to help retain the moisture.
• Place any rocks or river stones if desired.

Planting onto logs, rocks, or trees:

• Place your bromeliad where you want it.
• Place sphagnum moss around to root system to keep roots damp, secure it in place with fishing line or jute.
• Secure your plant in place with fishing line or jute.
• Lightly water the sphagnum moss.

Planting into pots:

• Place a layer of scoria in the bottom of the pot for drainage.
• Use orchid mix in the pot, as this is free-draining.
• Dig a hole, place your plants, and back fill withorchid mix.
• Lightly water.
• You’ll only need to re-pot every 5 years or so.

Propagation

It’s simple to propagate, or breed your bromeliad plants:

• Look for little ‘pups’ appearing at the base of the mother plant. They’ll keep producing these pups their whole life.
• Wait until the pups are of a sturdy size, then gently remove them from the side of the plant, taking care of the root system.
• Replant as you would a full-size specimen.
• A young bromeliad should flower within 2-3 years, depending on the species.

Watering

• Once planted and settled you no longer need to water the base of the plant. Bromeliads are watered into the central cup of the plant, which acts as a water reservoir.
• Keep the central cup ½ full in summer, and ¼ full in winter.
• Flush it out every couple of months to avoid bacteria from dirty water.
• If your home is dry, then mist them a couple of times a week.
• When indoors water monthly and let the water drain out of the pot.

Feeding

• Bromeliads aren’t fussy and don’t need much fertilizing as they are sensitive to over-feeding.
• In spring, sprinkle a slow-release fertiliser around the base of your bromeliads. This gives them a boost of nutrients during their growing period and improves their condition so they’re able to cope with the heat in summer.

Pests & Disease

• Bromeliads are very low maintenance. The worst you’ll get are mealy bugs and scale, which can be wiped off with alcohol and a cotton swab.
• Don’t use oil sprays as they can smother the plant.

Pruning

• Pruning is simple. Just remove any dead foliage or flower stalks as needed.
• Eventually the mother plant will die and need to be removed, but you should have plenty of pups to take its place.