Bromeliad Indoor Care: What to Know

Learn how to care for bromeliads indoors. These lovely plants make a colorful, architectural statement in the indoor garden. Find out how to keep bromeliads blooming for a long time indoors. Also discover how to ensure that bromeliads stay healthy indoors. Learn watering, lighting and fertilizing needs.
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Important Note: Regarding reblooming indoors. You can get new blooms, but they will usually be on pups--so baby plants that the mother plant creates. Check out this video to see how to separate pups from the mother plant and get new plants with the same flower: • How to Get More Bromel...
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[@jessicabailey3281]

My sweet boss just brought me this plant. She had a plant nursery before buying the grocery store I work at. ❤

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@jessicabailey3281, That’s great! Enjoy your new green friend!

[@GrannyEarth]

We just got dozens of Bromeliads in at Home Depot. Need to learn about these beauties.

[@carlaeher]

I just got this as my first plant ever, and I really appreciated hearing your advice! Thank you!!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

CARLAHER, You're very welcome, and I'm glad the advice helped you! I will be doing another video next month regarding what to do when the plant bloom dies back and how to get more plants from the plant that will then bloom. Have fun with your new plant!

[@cashewking8645]

I finally got my own first plant in my room and I chose this one cause it looked like a dragons tail. Now I gotta learn how to take care of it

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@cashewking8645, That's great!

[@virginia7125]

I have a succulent garden in my kitchen. I added one of these that Lowe's had on clearance. There's a beta fish bowl nearby. A few of the leaves had brown tips. It may be best to leave them alone. There's a new pod starting. Mine's purple by the way.

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Virginia H, That's great about your succulent garden and your bromeliad. I love purple ones. You could cut off the brown tips, if you want. By a new pod, I think you mean a pup (baby plant). That's great. I will be doing a followup video soon with this plant, which produced pups, showing how to transplant them to make new plants.

[@yolandarivera5504]

Very informative. Thank you

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@yolandarivera5504, You're very welcome. I'm glad it is helpful!

[@PlayHT-TextToSpeechReader]

I have a purple one in s purple pot looks cute, I never been able to successfully keep a plant so I'm determined to take care of one successfully

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Wholesome Tomato, that's great!

[@cjasonmatthews1996]

I did too. Got one at The Home Depot and got committed to take care and let it produce pups

[@FcleFpiano]

If you squeeze the red part some kind of juice comes out. Has no smell it’s probably water. I didn’t watch the video so idk if she mentioned it.

[@gracemcgregor9541]

How can I save my plant that is dying.

[@Landrytravels]

Do you fertilize when watering the crown or in the soil? Seems roots are for grabbing on and not for nutrients so not sure.

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Christopher Landry, Great question. You want to fertilize the soil, not the cup/crown, as water sitting in the cup that contains fertilizer can burn the leaves. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer at one-quarter to half strength monthly spring through summer, and refrain from fertilizing the rest of the year. Bromeliads aren't heavy feeders. Additionally, overfeeding them can inhibit flowering.

[@kimchithan5521]

I just bought Bromeliad , the pot has few new grown, can you please give me advice: I should leave it alone and transplant to the bigger pot or devide the to separate pots

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@kimchithan5521, If the bromeliad is flowering, wait to separate the new plants, which are called pups, until after the flower is done. Here is a video that shows you how to do that (there are 3 videos total in the series): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXKno4qkjJWfd6c

[@benbenavente1032]

Thank you so much for all of the Great information.

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Ben Benavente, You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@caitlynlandry822]

I just reported a little bromeliad I bought into some orchid mix, have you found success with that in the past? Is it easy to tell when the plant needs watering?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Caitlyn Landry, I haven't tried growing bromeliads in orchid bark, but it likely will do well. You would want to check it for watering as you would an orchid. How is it doing?

[@caitlynlandry822]

@@HealthyHouseplants It’s doing ok? It’s still very small, but it appears to be pretty healthy so 🤷‍♀️

[@Snowwhite33142]

I have 2 bromeliads growing in sphagnum moss, I only water in the leaves, both are thriving, I had heard the roots don't absorb anything.

[@yogalibelula]

How much water should I give my bromeliad, do I water into their "cups" to mimick rainfall? How do I excise "pup" to propegate a new plant?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Lorena Gomez Ambriz, I generally water the soil, rather than in the cups, when indoors, to prevent mosquitos indoors. The plants grow fine that way, too. I will be doing a video soon on excising and replanting pups for new plants, so stay tuned!

[@violetromic5257]

Why have the leaves curled?

[@mariluvillafuerte7236]

what if some leaves are getting brown?

[@paolagomez8635]

I thought I was only supposed to water the cup in the center of the plant. Am I supposed to water the soil instead?

[@AzulaisQueen743]

No. Please do not water the soil

[@virginia7125]

When I got mine from Lowe's, the cup was watered, but the soil was fairly dry. You can do a half & half cactus/orchid mix. Pure potting soil is not good for them.

[@HeyItsCharlie]

So... someone gave me an almost dead one, I've been trying to save it, it's been a few months, but it doesn't seem to be growing or anything? Is there anything I can do to speed up it's recovery & growth? It has some brown ends on some leaves, it had that when they gave it to me, but mostly its like a bundle of leaves in the middle..

[@AndrewPelayo]

I enjoyed the video :D very clear and organized tips. I just got a bowl at home depot, that includes 2 bromeliads and there is a wood (might be drift wood) tree looking feature that has two plants on it as well. Would you reccomend just providing mist to the two plants growing on the tree?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Andrew Pelayo, I'm glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. That sounds like a nice bowl you got. Are the plants attached to the tree feature tillandsias? They may be. If so, yes, you would want to mist them, as that's how they absorb moisture. You will also want to foliar feed them monthly. Here is a video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2G7gXaNaLaLi7s Additionally, I have put tillandsias on my list for a future video on how to care for them indoors.

[@AndrewPelayo]

@@HealthyHouseplants Wow I appreciate the tips so much, I hope all of your plants are doing well!🌱

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@@AndrewPelayo You're very welcome. And thank you! My plants and I are doing well! 😊

[@blissful_nutrition2017]

What kind of plant would you recommend transplanting it into?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

blissful_nutrition, I believe you are asking what kind of pot to transplant into? They do well in most types of pots. If you are concerned about overwatering, I would transplant into terra-cotta or glazed ceramic. If you aren't concerned about overwatering, and know you won't tend to do that, you can also plant in plastic. Here is a video on different types of pots that can also help you decide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5KXo62ue6qDgtE

[@sherrib4412]

My bromeliad is in a much bigger pot im wondering if that will be bad for it?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@sherrib4412 , For a bromeliad, since you don't water it much, a much bigger pot isn't necessarily a bad thing in this instance. However, you would not want to keep the soil moist, as that would lead to root rot. If you are concerned about it, though, down potting is a good idea.

[@Plant_Mama]

Really great information! You have beautiful plants!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Plant Mama Tatiana, thanks so much, and thanks for watching.

[@sakofinnbear5654]

Youre so hot

[@fjones2228]

My bromeliad is leaning and has turned brown in the center. Can it be saved? Thanks in advance.

[@HealthyHouseplants]

F Jones, Is it mushy in the center and at the base of the plant where the main stem meets the soil? If so, it likely has crown rot. Once the crown of a plant rots, it's hard to save, because that's where all new growth comes from. Crown rot is similar to root rot. Was the plant overwatered?

[@lornapeddie3125]

Thanks for the information. What if the leaves are getting brown?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Lorna Peddie, You're very welcome. It depends on how many of the leaves are getting brown and where the leaves are browing. If just a few of the outer leaves are getting brown, that is normal. The plant will naturally slough off outer leaves. However, if a lot of the leaves are browning, that may be because the plant has been overwatered. Have you been watering it on a frequent basis? They like to go pretty dry in between watering. You want the moisture meter to be just going into the dry zone before watering again. They also require bright light and will have browning leaves when the light isn't bright enough.

[@perettelear6603]

Hello! Thank you for the video. My plant has bloomed and died. I cut off the dead bloom and the plant keeps producing pups (3 that I’ve reported) but mother plant has not bloomed again. I let it dry between watering the bark mixture but today I noticed yellow mold at the base of pot and in drainage holes (plastic pot). Also the pup tips are brown but it’s growing fine. Plant is in an east and south facing window. Do you suggest that I water with distilled water for the brown tips? Do you suggest that I change/refresh the mother plant’s bark soil? I’ve had the plant for over a year. Thanks in advance.

[@keeleysmith6302]

The mother only blooms once in its lifetime. Break off the pups and grow them in their own pot

[@laura_shannon_]

I just bought one today. I have loads of cacti because I’m awful at remembering to water plants and cacti mine too much so I’m kinda nervous. Your plant food you recommend in your links, is there anywhere I can get it in the U.K.? 🙂

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@lauracelia8942, Congrats on your new plant! These plants are perfect if you forget to water, because they require very little water. I don't ship my plant food overseas, but here is a good one on Amazon UK: amzn.to/3RQapjx

[@laura_shannon_]

@@HealthyHouseplants thank you 😊

[@noemivh9257]

Hi, I have a Bromeliad with a yellow bloom. Since a few weeks the bloom is dying, it is very dry and the color is turning grey. Do i cut the bloom off? And do they make new blooms? Thanks!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Noemi VH, Yes, you can cut the bloom off at the base of the bloom. It will rebloom again, but it may take some time. You want to give it good lighting and make sure not to overwater it in order for it to rebloom.

[@OriginalMariAnnaWolf]

I heared pearlite so light will come up to surface

[@solarwinds-]

Does the mother plant die after she blooms?

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Solar Winds AuroraBorealis, The mother plant doesn't die, but she stops blooming. However, she creates baby plants known as pups that will bloom for you. I have a video coming up very soon on how to harvest the baby pups once they form. This mother created several babies. She will continue to do so, as well.

[@geebombify]

I'm having trouble with a lovely vriesea I was gifted a few weeks back. I've been watering it as per information I've found (though after watching this I may water the cup/vase less), but in the last week or so a few leaves have developed large black spots with slightly bleached centres... Is this a fungus? Overwatering? If you have any advice to make it happier, please let me know!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

georgia jane, Yes, it sounds like it could be fungus, which may be coming from overwatering. I would try rinsing out the cups and letting them dry out and see if that helps. The trouble with having the cups filled indoors is that the foliage doesn't dry out like it does outdoors, due to less air circulation. How is the plant doing now?

[@akeleven]

I was following you with your instructions until you said that fertilizing would get a new bloom. No. Maybe some rare varieties will rebloom but in general bromeliads do NOT rebloom. After the bloom is spent, or even as it dies, the plant will send up pups from the base. (That is most varieties. The exception is the earthstar, cryptanthus, which blooms and then the pups come up in between the leaves. ) So, yes the mother plant dies but you will be gifted with one or more young plants that will grow up to bloom eventually. It'll probably take a couple of 3 years. I was watching because I need advice on artificial light.

[@HealthyHouseplants]

akeleven, Thank you. I have a video coming out about how to separate the pups from the mother plant to get new blooms, and should have been more clear in the video that the new blooms will come from the pups. As for artificial lighting, full-spectrum lighting, which you've likely discovered, is ideal for many indoor plants. It replicates daylight.

[@mambaitaliaful]

Ok, I know this about Bromeliads but I must know HOW you get those African Violets in the back so HUGE!? I have over 70 and have never had mine grow that big. 😱😱😱😱😱

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Mishelle Walker, More than 70 violets! That's great! When I repot my African violets, I use my Green Gourmet Houseplant Food. It contains natural growth hormones and other good stuff. Here's a link, if you want to take a look. healthyhouseplants.storenvy.com/products/3985573-green-gourmet-houseplant-food I also make sure that the African violets are in the right size pot. 2/3 plant to 1/3 pot ratio. But you probably already do that. Have fun with your violets! :)

[@liliaramos5381]

I just got one, but leaves are turning yellow and some have start getting dry at the bottom. Flower is getting brownish color and dry too. What should I do? Thank you!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Lilia Ramos, Unfortunately, it sounds like the flower may be finishing. That is normal, as they do last several months, but no indefinitely. One way to slow this process down is to make sure not to overwater the plant and keep it away from drafts and in as cool of an area as possible. What will happen once the flower dries up is that you will get baby plants called pups that will sprout up around the mother plant. Those can be allowed to grow larger and then repotted and will produce flowers when they mature, repeating the cycle. I will be soon doing a video on that process.

[@devbachu7072]

I seeing my stem turning brown I believe hascenough water

[@HealthyHouseplants]

dev bachu, Make sure not to overwater the plant. They can turn brown from too much water.

[@devbachu7072]

@@HealthyHouseplants thanks I have them indoor getting indirect sunshine

[@Devil6CR]

Darn, i used tropical soil for mine. It said tropical on the pot.

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Devil6CR, is the potting soil really heavy? If so, it might not have enough drainage.

[@JBrodo]

Hi! The TLDR of what I am posting is do you have a time you would recommend to start watering again after possible over watering of the cup? Explanation below 😉 I bought by first bromeliad, am keeping it indoors, and had only heard about watering in the cup. I watered it in the cup when I first got it, the water took about a week to disappear, then I watered it again and to my surprise the water in the cup was almost gone in about an hour. So I watered it again... And again the next day for the same reason... And then stopped to do research because this seemed odd to me! After doing research, I have emptied all water from the cup because I am afraid I was over watering and am going to let it dry out for a day or two. The steam still feels good, I think. I will go with watering the soil going forward. Do you have a time you would recommend to start watering again? The plant currently has a bloom and has soil as potting medium. Thanks!!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

J Brodo, you bring up a good point regarding watering in the cup. When the plants are grown outdoors, it's good to water in the cup. However, indoors, because there is less evaporation, it can be too much water for the plant, as you were seeing. It can also provide a place for mosquitoes to reproduce--which is another reason I don't suggest doing so indoors. Water when the soil is approaching dryness. So when the top two inches of soil has dried out, or when it hits the red/3 on the moisture meter.

[@JBrodo]

@@HealthyHouseplants thanks so much! I watered the soil yesterday, we will see how it goes!

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@@JBrodo You're welcome! Keep me posted!

[@hibathebird]

Mine is dying and now I'm watching this😂💔

[@HealthyHouseplants]

Hiba Jaafar, maybe you can save it!

[@DivineMercy_7]

❤

[@madelinerock6951]

I named mine Rengoku: Flame Hashira

[@HealthyHouseplants]

@madelinerock6951, Nice name. I like it! :)