While some plants need a regular haircut to stay in shape, your bromeliad is actually a low-maintenance dream. These beauties grow in a natural, compact rosette and don’t branch out, so there’s no need to worry about pruning to encourage growth.
What can I actually trim?
As long as your bromeliad is happy and healthy, you can stick to your usual routine of watering and fertilizing. If you notice a stray wilted leaf here or there, don’t sweat it—that’s totally normal. Just give it a gentle tug; if it’s ready to go, it’ll pop right out of the rosette.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to keep the scissors away from the leaves. Bromeliad leaves don’t handle being cut very well, and honestly, trimmed edges look a bit messy and unnatural. The only time you should really reach for a blade is when you’re dealing with pups (those cute little offsets) growing at the base of the mother plant.
How do I properly remove pups?
Once your bromeliad is done blooming, it puts all its remaining energy into reproduction. Give the plant the time it needs to do its thing! Keep up with your regular care and make sure it stays in a prime location—somewhere bright and warm. If you tuck it away in a dark, chilly corner now, those pups might never show up.
Depending on the variety and how happy the plant is, you might even get several pups from one mother plant. Let these “babies” stay put until they are large and strong enough to survive on their own. Once they’re ready, it’s time to divide the plant. Use a clean, sharp (and ideally disinfected) knife to carefully cut each pup away.
What should I do with the new pups?
Before you rush to pot them, let the cut ends of the pups dry out for a bit. Then, plant them individually in pots filled with well-draining bromeliad soil. Give the youngsters a light watering and find them a cozy, bright, and warm spot to grow. Pro tip: You can even place a clear plastic bag over the pot to create a mini-greenhouse effect while they get established.
The Quick Takeaway:
- Skip the pruning; bromeliads don’t need it.
- Only pull off wilted leaves if they come away easily.
- Use a disinfected knife to remove pups.
- Let the cut dry before potting the new plants.
Quick Tip: Bromeliads never need a full “haircut”—the only things you should ever be cutting off are the pups!
