Here’s the thing about bromeliads: the actual flowers are pretty tiny and understated. It’s those vibrant, colorful bracts (the modified leaves) surrounding them that turn the plant into a total tropical showstopper. But here’s the catch—a bromeliad only puts on this spectacular show once in its lifetime. After that, the main plant eventually calls it quits.
Should I just cut off the dried-up flower?
Even if you snip off that withered flower spike, it won’t actually save the mother plant. But don’t worry! There’s no need to panic because once a bromeliad is done blooming, it naturally starts working on its own propagation. Before that happens, though, just sit back and enjoy the bloom—it can often last for several months!
How do I care for my bromeliad after the bloom fades?
Keep your bromeliad in a bright, warm spot. You’ll want to keep watering and fertilizing it exactly as you have been. Now comes the part where you need a little patience: you’re waiting for “pups” (small offshoots) to appear at the base of the mother plant.
Wait until these young leaf rosettes are at least four inches (ten centimeters) in diameter. Once they’ve reached that size, you can carefully cut the pups away and pot them individually in small containers filled with specialized bromeliad soil. Give them a good drink of lukewarm water to help them settle in.
How do I look after the new baby plants?
In a warm, bright location, these young plants mostly just need time and consistent moisture. For watering, your best bet is lukewarm rainwater or distilled water (they aren’t big fans of lime-heavy tap water). Make sure to pour the water both into the central leaf cups and onto the soil itself.
Quick Takeaways:
- The blooming period can last for several months.
- A bromeliad always dies back after flowering.
- Don’t toss the plant! It will produce its own “pups.”
- After blooming, continue to fertilize and water as usual.
- Keep the plant in a bright, warm location.
- Only remove daughter plants once they are at least 4 inches tall.
- Pot each young plant in its own container.
- Pro tip: Place the new pots in a mini-greenhouse or cover them with clear plastic wrap to hold in humidity.
Quick Tip: Don’t give up on your bromeliad once the color fades. Keep taking care of it, and you’ll be rewarded with a whole new generation of tropical beauties!
