Bromeliads in Pots

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Many bromeliads make excellent plants for the home.
Although most grow as epiphytes in their natural habitats, they can adapt well in pots when grown in
Plantastic BROMELIAD MIX!

BEAUTIFUL BROMELIADS

Exotic and elegant, bromeliads can look intimidating to the beginner. But in truth, their almost foolproof care requirements are a perfect match to today’s hectic lifestyles. Despite how they look, their water requirements are closer to that of cacti than that of other houseplants. Watering once a week is sufficient – and even less often if light levels are low or if the season is wet.

All bromeliads bloom only once in their lifetime, but each plant produces plantlets or “pups”. Each will grow and eventually blossom as magnificently as did its mother plant. Wait until the pups are about 1/3 to ½ the size of the mother plant before removing and potting them. The mother plant will continue to produce pups until it dies in one to two years’ time.

Bromeliads, like orchids, are mostly epiphytic. Meaning, they don't need soil to grow and would be happy in a very loose, free-draining potting mix, or mounted on fern slabs or driftwood. Good thing Plantastic BROMELIAD MIX was developed specifically with these exotic flowers in mind. The free-draining soil-less potting mix provides adequate support for bromeliads big and small, while giving it the perfect environment in which to grow.

CARE: Bromeliads hate “wet feet” so make sure to remove any excess water that may drain out onto any saucers or decorative pots they may be standing in. Too much water on the roots easily leads to root rot. Keep water in the cup-like structure formed by its leaves. To prevent stagnation, replace the water every few weeks. Feeding requirements vary.

LIGHT: Light requirements differ but the general rule is, the stiffer the leaves, the brighter the light. Offer bright but not direct sun to billbergia, tillandsia and neoregelia. Give medium filtered light to guzmania, vrisea and nidularium. However, the most famous bromeliad, the pineapple, is a sun-lover.

BROMELIAD VARIETIES

Guzmania

Guzmanias are probably the most commercialized bromeliad variety in the world! The reason is plain to see once you glimpse their vivid, flamboyant colors that last for weeks and weeks.

Caring for Guzmania is relatively easy, as they require typically low light levels, warm temperatures and high humidity. They're perfect for Philippine homes! Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight and water only every week or so -- only when the potting mix is dry. When dry, water thoroughly but never let it stand in water. Leaving water in the saucer it's standing on can lead to root rot.

These plants feed on deposits in the cup formed by their leaves so allow water to run into the cup of the plant.