Bromeliads are gorgeous houseplants that many people enjoy to grow in their homes. They are known for their beautiful flowers. The most popular Bromeliad varieties to grow in your home include Guzmanias, Aechmeas and Vrieseas.The flowers are a number one thing to grow these plants.

However, once the plant is done blooming it might look like a different plant. How to take care for it? Is there a way to make it bloom again? These are some of the important questions you need to ask if you wish to grow Bromeliads in your home.

What to Do When the Flower is Fading?

Bromeliads have wonderful flowers, but they can't live forever. You will notice at one point that the flower is fading. It is also not unusual to see that the tips of the leaves are turning brown. It is a sign that the plant is done with blooming.

When you notice the flower fading, it is best to cut it off. It is important to understand that you won't be able to make the flower hang on for longer. It is also not helpful for the plant to keep the old flower to take the resources.

To cut the flower, simply take a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears. Cut off the bloom spike as far down as you can. This will help you keep your Bromeliad plant.

While it might look different without the flower, keep in mind that your Bromeliad will continue to thrive. You can simply keep the regular care - there is no need to change anything when. Just do all the things you have done in the past. The only one thing that might be useful at this point is to clean the remaining leaves with water and a soft cloth.

Development of Pups

Overtime, you will notice that your Bromeliad will start forming new plants from the base. These pups, as they are called, should be left on the parent plant so they can develop.

By removing the flower and the leaves from the plant, it actually allows new pups to develop. This is a great thing, because pups are a new source of flowers.

Make sure to leave the pups on the parent plant until they reach about 1/3 the size of the parent plant. You may also wish to move your Bromeliad into a brighter spot in your home.

Can Bromeliads Bloom Again?

It is important to remember that a Bromeliad plant will not bloom again from the original plant. However, it can have new pups that grow up and bloom if you give them enough light. It is also important to take a good care of the pups so they will produce flowers.

Generally speaking, the original plant blooms once and its pups bloom multiple times. This is important to remember when growing Bromeliads. Also, keep in mind that you can keep the plant in the same soil for several years and it will not harm it.

Additional Info about Bromeliads

Here are some additional things you should know about Bromeliads:

• Bromeliads that you can buy at garden centers never grow to their full size. They are generally forced to flower when they reach about 3/4 of their full size. After this, they are shipped out. Keep this in mind because it is important information about the size of the plant.
• It is possible to make your Bromeliad produce flowers by treating it with a gas. The best gas to use for this purpose is Ethylene.
• Keep in mind that Bromeliads stay beautiful even when the flowers are gone. These are truly gorgeous indoor plants you can grow in your home. They will make any room more beautiful. This is why these are so popular as house plants.

Photo credit: ProBuild Garden Center