As an epiphytic plant, bromeliads in nature grow on the sides of much larger trees, catching their water largely from rainfall. The leaves on the outside direct the water to the central vase or cup, where the plant receives its water. When potted, the bromeliad’s soil should dry out, and be watered only when the soil is quite dry. The central vase should be emptied and refilled with fresh water every three or four days to keep the water from becoming stagnant. Ideally, you want to use distilled or rainwater. Additionally, bromeliads enjoy a little humidity, which can be achieved with a fine mister or nearby humidifier.

In nature, bromeliads are covered by a canopy, meaning that their light is filtered. Too much light and they will burn, but they can also become muted and lose their colour in too little light. We recommend bright, indirect light for bromeliads. You can achieve this in an East-facing room, or in a South or West-facing room as long as the light is not directly hitting the leaves.

As a slow-growing plant, bromeliads require very little fertilizer, but can use it in the spring and summer or when transplanting or before removing pups. Use a half-strength liquid organic fertilizer.

Because it takes so long for bromeliads to grow, they typically only produce one bract in their lifetime, but that bract can last for months before it needs to be removed. As the bract dries out, it can be removed with a gentle twist.

You may notice that on the sides of the bromeliad, there are very small versions of the larger plant; these are called pups. The pups can be removed at the base of the mother plant and potted into their own – very small! – pots. It then takes approximately 1 to 3 years before the pups will produce their own colourful bract. However, you can make this process go a little faster by putting the mature bromeliad into a bag with a banana! As the banana ripens, it produces ethylene gas, which incidentally can cause bromeliads to produce blooms.

Bromeliads are a wonderful tropical plant to enjoy the blooms for several months, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving, as it produces pups in the future!