4 Reasons to use Bromeliads in Plantscape Designs

Author: Melanie Dearringer4 Comments

Care and Culture

We all know bromeliads are a wonderful way to add color to an otherwise dull interiorscape. They have bright flowers and gorgeous foliage that will provide a wonderful splash of color for months at a time. And with over 3,100 different species of bromeliads, you are sure to find the perfect color, size, and shape to complement your plantscaping design. But did you know that bromeliads are more than just a pretty face?

The Bromeliad Benefit

1. Drought Resistance
One of the biggest mistakes made with this plant is over-watering, which leads to rotting roots. Because bromeliads are extremely drought tolerant, they require less maintenance than most other indoor plants.

Guzmania Lingulata

2. Improved Air Quality
Scientific research shows that bromeliads can improve indoor air quality after business hours. While most common indoor plants purify the air during the day, bromeliads release oxygen and remove air pollutants during the night. The Plants for Clean Air Council suggests that when combined with foliage plants, bromeliads can help provide around-the-clock indoor air purification.

3. Tolerance to Low Light Conditions
While most bromeliads prefer bright, indirect sunlight or fluorescent office lighting, some species can be quite flexible when it comes to lighting conditions. Nidularium, Vrieseas, and Guzmania all evolved under the vast canopies of tropical rain forests and are able to survive in low light conditions. Most varieties must not be exposed to direct sunlight.

4. Can be Grown in a Container
Bromeliads will grow in almost any type of plant container as long as it has good drainage. This can be achieved by placing cross risers in the bottom of the planter to create a basin for excess water to collect. Growing bromeliads in containers not only makes them portable for easy maintenance routines, it also effectively traps disease and prevents it from spreading to the rest of your plant display. Try combining different types and colors of bromeliads into one pot to produce striking arrangements.

What have your experiences been when using bromeliads?

Photo credit: “Guzmania Lingulata” courtesy of  Prenn via http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guzmania_lingulata_(2).JPG
Featured photo credit: Ryan Basilio via http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetalesend/4710827571/
References: Kents Bromeliads via http://www.kentsbromeliad.com/