Adding Beautiful Bromeliads to your Landscaping

Bromeliads are beautiful South Florida native plants that are low-maintenance and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Some are so small that they can fit in tiny ornaments or glass jars as air plants, while others grow large and beautiful as landscape staples. Related to pineapples, these succulent plants are hardy and grow in a variety of harsh conditions. You’re guaranteed to find a species that will make a great addition for your landscape design.

Bromeliads are a hardy group of plants, even though they generally live for only two to four years. Luckily, throughout their relatively short life span, they require very little maintenance. They are an ideal plant for landscape owners who prefer enjoying their yard rather than tending to it. All most bromeliads require is bright shade to grow well, although some varieties require a few hours of direct sun in order to thrive completely. This group of Florida landscaping plants works well in almost any yard because they come in a wide variety of sizes and colors to suit your decorative needs.

Quick Bromeliad Facts

• Bromeliads consist of over 3,000 species.
• No matter the size of your lawn, a bromeliad will fit–the smallest varieties remain 4-6 inches tall, while the biggest can grow up to 4 feet in diameter.
• These plants need only an occasional watering when drought conditions get harsh, since their root systems tend to be shallow. Don’t feel pressured to overwater though, since the roots also rot easily. The best landscaping choice is to water when the plants and grass appear thirsty, rather than having your sprinklers on a set schedule that doesn’t take into account your plants’ needs.
• Bromeliads reproduce through “pups”. They sprout small plants that you can cut and plant to form new specimens. These pups should only be removed once they are about ⅓ the size of the mother plant, in order to ensure their survival.
• These tropical plants produce gorgeous flowering stems; however, once they have bloomed, the mother plant will die in about 2-4 weeks. It is important to remove pups during this last month and plant them.
• The beauty of bromeliads is that they come in such a variety of structures and colors. Most have spines on their leaves, while some are smooth.
• Variegated varieties get to boast about their fun coloration while others are simply green or purplish. If you own a variegated variety, we recommend keeping it in an area that receives a decent amount of sunlight, since more light will lead to stronger variegation.

Bromeliads Help to Develop Your Green Thumb

Many species of bromeliad thrive as air plants. If you are a first-time plant owner, it’s a great idea to begin your houseplant journey with air plants–you rarely need to think about them, and yet they provide hormone boosts that make you happier with your living environment. They can also function as stepping stones, as you transition from air plants (which essentially require no effort from you) to low-maintenance houseplants that need just a little bit more attention. If you want to begin a houseplant collection in South Florida, consider starting with bromeliads.

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