Decorative epiphytic bromeliads (Photo by Jane Gates)
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Bromeliads are plants that grow in mostly frost free climates. The leaves tend to grow in a rosette form – meaning they grow out from a central point forming a shape like a rose. The Bromeliads that grow in trees, rocks and other elevated surfaces in nature tend to have minimal roots that are used more to attach themselves to a base than for providing nourishment.
Often epiphytic bromeliads gather their nourishment from surrounding moist air and/or from the cup shaped hollow that forms in the center of their leaves that fills with rain water. You can grow these plants in part or full shade in a frost-free garden. Or they make wonderful houseplants. Leaves can be colorful or decorative and the flowers that emerge from the center of the plant can be spectacular – often looking too colorfully bizarre to look real. (Check out the pictures in the slide show below).
Plant these plants in a light medium like shredded bark. Some of the smaller varieties like Tillandsias can even be glued to boards for display or draped and tied on the branches of other plants indoors or out. Water in the central vase or cup should always be kept full. The medium in which the plant is rooted can be kept lightly moist, but remember that it is the humidity (especially with plants that show a whitish coating) and the water in the central vase that will keep the plant alive. Roots are primarily for anchoring and do better with some air circulation around them. (Remember, epiphytic bromeliads do not need their roots to take up nutrients in the way other plants do.) Feeding these bromeliads is not necessary and plant food should never be added to the water in the center.
In nature, sometimes colorful tree frogs will live in the center of these bromeliads.
For some really interesting and colorful plants in the landscape or indoors, consider growing an epiphytic bromeliad.
Comments
I had some of these when in Florida, and they were so pretty in bloom. How do you pronounce the name?
Bromeliads are truly beautiful — I've never tried growing them, but my maternal grandmother did.
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