Bromeliad is the common name for a family of plants that contain many varieties with different colored blooms and leaf sizes.

Most bromeliads have leaves radiating from a central point creating a rosette that forms a water holding tank. This ability allows bromeliads in nature to survive periods of drought and, by extension, need watering only periodically in the home. Water the center cups and soil with bottled drinking or rainwater every two weeks or so. When the water in the cup dries out and/or the soil becomes pretty dry, it is time to water.

Indoors most bromeliads prefer a bright indirect light. Direct sunlight through a window will burn the leaves…. low light levels will not suffice.

Most bromeliads produce offsets when they bloom. These can be grown to maturity. When the offset(s) grow to be 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the mother plant, cut them off where they attach and pot them in a fast-draining soil mix. They should root quickly and continue growing. Treat them the same as a mature plant. Don’t ever let the soil become soggy for too long. This shouldn’t happen in a fast-draining mix.