Different Types of Bromeliad Flowers

Bromeliads, many of which produce lovely flowers, grow both in the air and in the soil. Many varieties are monocarpic, meaning they produce flowers just once, often lasting from two to four months, after which the flowers die. They can be grown both indoors and in greenhouses.

There are more than 2,000 species of bromeliads, many of which originated in the Andean highlands of South America. Most bromeliads grow in circular clusters that radiate from the center. Their foliage, from irregular to symmetrical, is banded or variegated, from rail thin to extremely broad. Bromeliads produce colorful flowers as small as a quarter of an inch wide to as large as 12 inches. Some grow in the air; others grow in soil.

The majority of bromeliads are epiphytes, also called "air plants." These attach themselves to trees, obtaining water and nutrients directly from the air through their leaves. Growers use dampened sphagnum moss to form a bed for the plant until it anchors itself onto the branch of an old tree. Small plants can be wedged into crevices in bark. Growers often give larger epiphytes wire supports until they anchor themselves.

Terrestrial bromeliads require soil. They can be grown in pots, but do best if they have more space, such as in the border of a greenhouse. They need bright light throughout the year.

The Guzmanias are air plants that produce flowers in the summer months, after which the plant dies. Guzmanias need warmth, high humidity, and light. The Scarlet Star, Guzmanis Lingulata, produces beautiful orange and red flowers.

The Tillandsia, like the Guzmania, is an epiphyte that uses its roots to adhere to other plants. It is native to dry, desert climates, and is found in Southern states from Texas to Florida. The thick-leafed variety does better in dry areas, while the thin-leafed variety requires rain. Tillandsia can survive cold temperatures but is sensitive to frost. Its striking flowers start out as green and eventually turn red.

The Aechmea is also an epiphyte. More than 140 varieties are found from Mexico throughout South America. Aechmea fasciata, popular as an indoor plant, sometimes marketed as Billbergia rhodocyanea, has wide green leaves with silver bands and lavender-blue flowers. Aechmea is from the Greek word for "point," in this case referring to the pointed sepals, modified leaves forming the calyx, which protects the bloom.

The small, hardy Neoregelia with colorful leaves in a variety of shapes and bright blue flowers in the center cups, is grown in soil and can survive heat, cold, low humidity and high sunlight.

Cypthathus or "Black Mystic," grows in soil and has succulent leaves banded with bronze, white or pink. The leaves have wavy margins and teeth. They can survive a broad range of temperatures.