Bromeliads are a group of plants that contains many genera. They are known for their fabulous flowers, such as the gorgeous Queens Tears, which hang in drops and sprays of many colors when they unexpectedly bloom.
Even the leaves can be spectacular in some of the Bromeliads – striped and stiff, they form a vase, tank or cistern, which as the name indicates, contain water.
This is how the plant survives long periods with little to no moisture in their environment.
These are the Blushing Bromeliads – even though they are bright and colorful, these ‘flowers’ are a bit misleading – these are actually bracts or leaves that change color.
The actual flower is inside the cistern, well hidden.
Some of these plants are poorly rooted, I guess they don’t need them if they carry their own water for whenever they need it. In jungles, the soil would be compost and very rich because of the decades of leaves and twigs that fall from the tall trees.
The canopy of the trees prevents the sun from reaching them, so these are shade-loving plants. In extreme rainfalls, this is when the tank would fill up to store water for those dry times.
Others in this family are the Tillandsia, of which some have grassy foliage, but then a feathery plume-like flower in pink, red or orange will emerge.
The Pink Plume and other closely related plants are easy to grow indoors.
Tillandsia also contains the air plants that are so popular for growing in ‘aeriums’ or glass globes that can hang.
These amazing plants get all the moisture they require out of the air, with no need for any soil.
One of the most famous of all bromeliads is the pineapple, well known for the great tasting fruit.
Often, the pineapple is given to newcomers of a community to welcome them.
See more gorgeous Bromeliads here…
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long thin leaves with thorns along them…stalk has round orange seed pods..look like mango flesh inside..and some round black seeds
its long slender “leaves” with thorns..solid green color..tall spike in center with orange seed pods..have a sort of sweet taste..didn’t eat one! just …
Serrated edged blooming succulent
The leaves are a solid green with a band of rust where it attaches to the core. The serrated edges are extremely sharp and rust in color. The flower …
hot pink with purple flowers
I have a hot pink plant, kind of in the shape of a diamond or oval shape, that has delicate purple flowers and lots of long thin stems growing out of it. …
Bilbergia Queens Tears
I have a plant that I am trying to figure out what kind it is. I always thought it was a cactus, but it has flat, narrow jagged, sharp leaves. …
Need help identifying this beauty
She has thick fat flat green leaves, that look a bit dried out but aren’t…in the center a huge pointy pink petaled flower with little tiny flowers about …
red center leaves that turn green as they grow
red center leaves that turn green as they grow Hi Tammie, this is some type of Bromeliad, a large genus of many beautiful species. Many have this …
only have one pic….not sure what it might be??
niece took a pic of this in Tennessee… Drought Smart Plants reply: Wow. I’m in awe. I particularly like the blue bobbles. If this plant is …
Spikey bromeliad-like plant with large red flowers
Small plant about 18 inches across with long dark green spikey leaves like a bromeliad producing spectacular pendulous red flowers Drought Smart …
