Take a look at a collection of Bromeliads, don’t they look happy?  More importantly, don’t they make you happy?  I hope so.   Bromeliads are not fussy plants.  They know how to fend for themselves, collecting and storing water and nutrients in their cups for use at their leisure.  Pests leave them pretty much alone.  And talk about good looks! Bromeliads have intricately patterned leaves, and dazzlingly beautiful blooms that last for months.    But wouldn’t you know it, there is one specie that, while it may not be the prettiest of the lot, is arguably the most import.  It is believed that Columbus himself returned to Spain in 1498 with fruits from this unique species of bromeliad,  a  fruit the Caribs and Arawaks cultivated and that we enjoy today.  Our Nation’s founders considered this fruit  to be so important that they put it on Coat of Arms.  Yes, you guessed it, the pineapple!

In addition to the pineapple, over 2,500 different varieties of bromeliads have been identified.  They range from those that prefer to grow high in the air, clinging to trees (epiphytes), or hugging rocks (saxicolous), to those anchored in porous, free draining media (terrestrial).  You are more likely to come across bromeliads belonging to the genus Guzmania at your favourite garden centre.   Their beautiful rosette shaped leaves come in a variety of colours.  When seen from above, the rosette formation resembles a star, hence their alias ‘earth star’.

Bromeliads are among the easiest plants to grow.  Attach the terrestrial types to tree limbs,  walls or posts in protected areas of your garden.  Plant the terrestrial types in partially shaded areas in a free draining,  mixture high in organic matter. Water bromeliads every 2 – 3 days or when the potting mix is dry to the touch. Mist during hot, dry days.  Fertilize sparingly. An application of  slow release fertilizer once every three months is sufficient, but avoid getting fertilizer in the cup of the rosette.   

A single bromeliad plant lives for about 2 years before flowering and sending up replacement pups.  These pups are your inexpensive source of new plants.  Wait until the mother plant turns brown and dies, at which point the pups should be about half the size of the mother plant.   Remove the entire clump from the container, cut the rhizomes connecting the pups to the mother plant, and plant each pup in its own small container.  Bromeliads do not require large pots, a 4- 6 inch size pot is fine.

Bromeliads are often the focal point in any setting, whether standing in solitary splendour in a pot, or as a centre piece in pot garden arrangements.  They do quite well in bright locations on a patio or indoors. And since they require minimal care, they make great gifts.  So go on, treat yourself, or a friend to a few, you’ll be happy you did.