Bromeliads That Flower

Bromeliad Family

• There are 2,877 species of bromeliads in 56 groups, called genera, according to the Smithsonian Institution. Two common examples are the pineapple and Spanish moss, which is neither Spanish nor a moss. The pineapple is a terrestrial bromeliad, which means that it roots in soil. In contrast, Spanish moss is an epiphytic bromeliad, or air plant, that primarily uses its roots to cling to trees and other plants for support without harming or feeding off them.

Growth

• Bromeliads are popular ornamental houseplants that thrive and bloom if they receive sufficient light, warmth, water and food. Their blossoms generally are small and are surrounded by bracts of leaves that change color and are often mistaken for flowers. Most bromeliads blossom only once in a lifetime. Then they become parents that produce new plants called pups. As the pups develop roots, it is necessary to separate them for transplanting so the parent plant has energy to produce more pups.

Light and Heat

• Light requirements vary, so bromeliads need to be grouped according to similar lighting needs. The Bromeliad Society International says that a good rule of thumb for deciding how much light a bromeliad needs is to follow the saying "Soft leaf -- soft light, hard leaf -- hard light." This means soft, flexible, spineless bromeliad leaves indicate a plant that probably grows best in shade. Fading leaves may indicate too much light.

  University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension associate Mary Jane Frogge recommends using artificial lighting if insufficient sunlight is available indoors. She adds that the plants need a daytime temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures from 55 to 60 F.

Water and Fertilizer

• Many bromeliads are shaped like vases, with whorls of leaves that create a "tank" to capture water for hydration and, if a plant is epiphytic, nutrients. Overwatering the plants leads to root rot. The Bromeliad Society says one method to feed both terrestrial and epiphytic plants is to spray them several times per season with a liquid fertilizer thinned to as much as one-fourth the product's recommended strength.

Forcing Blooms

• To force the bloom cycle of a bromeliad, Frogge says to drain all water from the plant and put it in a clear, airtight plastic bag with a ripe apple, which produces ethylene gas that encourages bromeliads to begin forming flowers. After two days, take the plant out of the bag, help it to reestablish its roots on a host or in soil, and replace its water. Flowering begins within 14 weeks.