Houseplants have proven to be a popular sector of gardening. Whether you are looking for traditional or rare houseplants, tropical-looking plants are a fun addition to your home. One of our most “tropical” looking houseplants is the Bromeliad. We’ve enjoyed growing Bromeliads here are Parkview Nursery this season.
Bromeliads have gotten a bad rap for being difficult houseplants to grow, but we could not disagree more! Bromeliads actually take very little care. While you may have to wait as many as three years to witness their blooms, the foliage often shows colors or variegation early to make this the perfect green plant.
Bromeliads require well-drained soil, as sitting in water can cause the plant to rot. The plant does not grow extensive roots, so leaving it in a smaller pot is ideal. The plant should be placed in a bright, indirect light space. When watering, you can either water the soil, or fill the “cups” the leaves create, allowing the water to slowly water the plant. Only fertilize Bromeliads during the growing season and avoiding fertilizing and heavily watering during the winter. When fertilizing, do so every two to four weeks at ¼ the regular strength of the fertilizer.
If you’re anxious to get your Bromeliads to flower earlier, one suggested way to initiate flowering is by placing the plant in a plastic bag with an apple. Yep, an apple. The apple will eject ethylene, which is a gas that triggers the flowering response.
Give Bromeliad a try, we think you’ll love it!
