Bromeliads are easy-care indoor plants that offer a very varied spectrum. You can find an overview of the most beautiful types of bromeliads here.

In a nutshell

  • all bromeliad species are rosette plants
  • The most well-known species is the pineapple
  • after flowering, bromeliads die off
  • Flowers often last for months
  • Tillandsias are particularly easy to care for

The bromeliad

All bromeliad species cultivated as houseplants look similar. The lanceolate leaf shape in particular is a distinguishing feature, together with the growth from a leaf rosette. When a bromeliad blooms, it is usually very conspicuous, with large, brightly colored flowers. Flowers often last for months, which is some consolation for dying after flowering. Bromeliad species prefer different locations. There are tree-dwelling, rock-dwelling or ground-dwelling species.

Notice: With all funnel-forming bromeliads, there should always be some water in the funnel. This can also be slightly enriched with fertilizer.

Earthstar (Cryptanthus), Hiding Flower, Earth Bromeliad

  • Origin: Bromeliad species from Brazil
  • Appearance: rosette of lanceolate, wavy and toothed leaves, mostly multicolored, greenish-white and pink
  • Location and substrate: bright, warm, but not too sunny and dry, high humidity required, loose, well-drained, humus-rich substrate
  • Watering and fertilizing: keep moist, spray frequently, use low-lime water, dose fertilizer slightly, every two weeks
  • Propagation and repotting: forms children that can be separated, repot only every four or five years
  • Plant protection: no diseases, spider mites if the air is too dry

Flaming Sword (Vriesea splendens)

  • Origin: Guiana
  • Appearance: Leaf rosette with strong leaves, dark green with light green veins, but other colors are also possible, sword-like inflorescence, in bright colors
  • Location and substrate: warm, bright, without direct sun, avoid temperature fluctuations, high humidity necessary, use orchid soil or loose potting soil
  • Watering and fertilizing: keep moist, spray frequently, dose fertilizer slightly, every four weeks
  • Propagation and repotting: forms children, repot every three or four years
  • Plant protection: no diseases, thrips or spider mites if the location is too dry

Guzmania (Guzmania)

  • Origin: Bromeliad species from Central and South America
  • Appearance: light green leaf rosettes, bracts yellow, orange or red, flowers inconspicuous
  • Location and substrate: bright, but shady, warm and with high humidity, loose, well-drained substrate
  • Watering and fertilizing: keep moist, without waterlogging, fertilize slightly every four weeks
  • Propagation and repotting: Childling, mother plant rather short-lived, therefore repotting unnecessary
  • Plant protection: no diseases, spider mites if the air is too dry, scale insects

Rosette of lances (Aechmea)

  • Homeland: America
  • Appearance: large, lanceolate leaves, light and dark green patterned, pink or red inflorescence, blue flowers
  • Site and substrate: warm and bright, without midday sun, coarse, well-drained substrate
  • Watering and fertilizing: keep moist, without waterlogging, fertilize slightly every two weeks
  • Propagation and repotting: forms children or seed propagation, repot every three years
  • Plant protection: no diseases, spider mites if the stand is too dry

Air Carnation (Tillandsia)

  • Origin: Bromeliad species from South America
  • Appearance: Divided into green (earth-dwelling) and gray tillandsia (epiphytes, without roots), brightly colored bracts
  • Location and substrate: high humidity, gray tillandsia likes to be sunny, tolerates cooler night temperatures, green tillandsia warm and bright, without direct sun, coarse, well-drained substrate
  • Watering and fertilizing: Spray gray tillandsia daily or immerse weekly, keep green tillandsia moist, mix some orchid fertilizer into the irrigation or spray water every month
  • Propagation and repotting: Childling, repot every three years
  • Plant protection: thrips or spider mites if the location is too dry, no diseases
Tillandsia, Tillandsia

Nest rosette (Neoregelia)

  • Homeland: Brazil
  • Appearance: Strong green leaf rosette, with reddish colored heart leaves, yellowish flowers
  • Location and substrate: bright, also sunny, without midday sun in summer, warm, high humidity, well-drained substrate
  • Watering and fertilizing: keep moist, fertilize lightly every four weeks
  • Propagation and repotting: forms children, repot every three years
  • Plant protection: no diseases, spider mites or thrips if the site is too dry

Ornamental pineapple (Ananas comosus), indoor pineapple

  • Origin: South and Central America
  • Appearance: similar to an agave, leaves have light and dark green stripes, prickly, inflorescence protrudes beyond the leaf rosette, reddish in color, the fruit is edible
  • Location and substrate: warm and bright, without strong sunlight,
  • Watering and fertilizing: keep moderately moist, avoid waterlogging, fertilize slightly every two weeks
  • Propagation and repotting: forms children, repot every three years
  • Plant protection: Spider mites in dry air
    Note: A houseplant can also be grown from the leaf tuft of a standard pineapple.

Carpenter Oats (Billbergia nutans)

  • Origin: Bromeliad species from Central and South America
  • Appearance: long, overhanging green leaves, red inflorescences, overhanging and oat-like, greenish-yellow flowers
  • Site and substrate: bright, but not sunny, warm, not below 12 degrees in winter, well-drained substrate
  • Watering and fertilizing: keep moderately moist, spray from time to time, fertilize every one to two weeks
  • Propagation and repotting: forms children that can grow into dense clumps every three years
  • Crop protection: considered robust

frequently asked Questions

What happens to the plants after flowering?

After flowering, the bromeliad dies off and that cannot be prevented. However, most bromeliad species form daughter plants beforehand, with which they can be propagated.

Can bromeliads go outside?

In summer at temperatures above 15 degrees, bromeliads feel comfortable in the garden. It is important that they are brought back into the house as soon as it is cooler.

Which other houseplants go well with bromeliads?

Since they like high humidity, bromeliads go very well with orchids. They are also suitable for terrariums in combination with other indoor plants.

Category:

Indoor plants