Exotic, Tropical Show-StopperMore than 3,000 bromeliad plants grow wild in the American tropics. Remarkably talented with flamboyant, colorful blooms and modern, spiky foliage, it’s no wonder this exotic plant has been “tamed’ to live among us. Only modest in stature, this particular variety reaches 2 to 3 feet fully grown. It occupies little square-footage and fits comfortably in or outside the home. It features a vase-shaped habitat of sword-like, green foliage that spirals out from a single stalk.Within a couple of years, a brilliant red inflorescence, or flower cluster, blooms from the center of its spiny rosette. Unlike most flowering plants, the bromeliad’s living conditions and age determine its lifecycle, not the seasons. It generally blooms only once, but what a show-stopper – flaunting its crimson-colored adornment for several months!Prolific Garden PlantAs the flower begins to fade, the bromeliad shifts its energy into propagating the next generation. Tiny shoots emerge around the base of the plant called “offsets” or “pups.” They can be removed from the mother once they reach a third of its size, providing you with a new collection of landscaping foliage!Natural Indoor Air FilterHouseplants naturally release oxygen, but the bromeliad is one of few equipped with purification capabilities. As it pumps fresh air into your living space, it’s removing harmful toxins at the same time -- just ask NASA! Bring your bromeliad indoors, and you have a round-the-clock air-purifier without ever having to “change the filter.”No Special Skills RequiredIn the “wild,” the bromeliad’s leaves absorb water and nutrients while its roots are primarily used to balance on trees or other organic matter. For this reason, the bromeliad doesn’t require dense potting soil. Instead, use a light, airy mixture, amended with bark, moss and other porous materials that allow water to drain. When feeding, remember to soak the plant, not the soil. And let it dry before watering again.Although its tropical “roots” may suggest otherwise, it’s quite tolerant of drought and repels most pests this far north of the equator. Living outdoors, it performs best where the climate is subtropical -- USDA zones 10 and 11. Indoors, find a location with bright, indirect sunlight and good air circulation. You may even want to use a low running fan during times when windows must be kept shut.Follow these few basics in bromeliad plant care, and this fiery favorite promises a taste of the tropics year-round. Designing with this versatile plant couldn’t be easier. Give us a call today to learn how the bromeliad can fit into your garden plans!
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