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Bromeliads Grown at Home: Some Recommended Bromeliads to Grow

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  • Some Recommended Bromeliads to Grow

Aechmea

Aechmea fasciata; photo by Ivo Vermeulen
Aechmea fasciata; photo by Ivo Vermeulen

These are all epiphytic, tank-forming bromeliads. The flowers have colorful bracts that hold their color for several weeks to several months. Many aechmeas also have red or blue berry-like fruit. Most aechmeas prefer bright light and form large colonies of plants.

Billbergia

Billbergia nutans; photo courtesy of Flickr cc/Daniel
Billbergia nutans; photo courtesy of Flickr cc/Daniel

These bromeliads form narrow, vase-shaped plants. It is important not to over-fertilize billbergias, otherwise the foliage will become too lanky and lose its nice vase shape.

Cryptanthus

Cryptanthus whitmanii photo courtesy of Flickr cc/Elias Gayles
Cryptanthus whitmanii photo courtesy of Flickr cc/Elias Gayles

These bromeliads are called earth stars because of their shape. They do well in indirect light. These plants are true terrestrials (plants growing in soil) and do not absorb water through their leaves.

Dyckia

Dyckia photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ Megan Hansen
Dyckia photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ Megan Hansen

These are desert plants with vicious spines. Most are covered with scales that give them a gray to silvery-white appearance. They need high light and can survive with little water, although they love a good watering.

Guzmania

Guzmania lingulata photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ Forest and Kim Starr
Guzmania lingulata photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ Forest and Kim Starr

Nearly all of these bromeliads have dark, shiny leaves and are tank-forming plants. These plants thrive in the shade and do not tolerate extremes of temperature. They are grown for their beautiful inflorescence that remains for many months.

Neoregelia

Neoregelia photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ Forest and Kim Starr
Neoregelia photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ Forest and Kim Starr

This genus does not have showy flowers, but compensates with exceptional foliage. In many plants the inner circle of leaves turns a brilliant red or pink. Do not over fertilize this plant, or the foliage will remain green. Neoregelias require good light to look their best.

Tillandsia

Tillandsia gardneri photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ James Ho
Tillandsia gardneri photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ James Ho

Many of these bromeliads are found in arid environments and have silvery-grey foliage. They should be watered by drenching—the frequency depends on the species. More information is available in our guide to Tillandsia.

Vriesea

vriesea carinata photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ manni0656
Vriesea carinata photo courtesy of Flickr cc/ manni0656

These plants have a showy sword-shaped flowering spike that lasts for months. Most vrieseas are tank bromeliads with soft, shiny green leaves. They are adaptable, growing in high light to fairly deep shade.

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Noteworthy Books on Bromeliads

  • Book CoverBromeliads for the Contemporary Garden by Andrew Steens
    Call Number: QL 47 .A1 S74 2003
    ISBN: 0881926043
    Publication Date: 2003-07-26
  • Book CoverAir plants : the curious world of Tillandsias by Zenaida Sengo; Caitlin Atkinson (Photographer)
    Call Number: QL 47 .T5 S45 2014
    ISBN: 1604694890
    Publication Date: 2014-09-30
  • Book CoverAir plants : epiphytes and aerial gardens by David H. Benzing
    Call Number: QK922 .B45 2012
    ISBN: 0801450438
    Publication Date: 2012-05-29

Bromeliad Societies

  • Bromeliad Society International

Useful Websites

  • Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies -- Bromeliad Encyclopedia
  • Clemson Cooperative Extension -- Bromeliads
  • Cryptanthus Society -- How to Grow Cryptanthus
  • Bromeliad Society Houston -- Bilbergia Care
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  • Last Updated: Mar 9, 2022 9:04 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.nybg.org/growingbromeliads
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