Pineapple houseplantsadd a tropical touch to any interior. They delight with a rosette of leathery leaves and a spectacular, large and bright inflorescence. In addition, they are undemanding and cause no problems in cultivation. Meet the most interestingspecies of potted pineapple plantsfor growing at home. We explain the requirements and rules ofgrowing pineapple plantsindoors, as well as proven ways to reproduce them.
Pineapple, Bromeliaceae - Bromeliaceae
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Pineapple houseplants - species and varieties
The family of pineapple plants(Bromeliaceae), also known otherwise as bromeliaceae, includes several thousand species, both terrestrial and epiphytes. Most of them are tropical plants found mainly in Africa, Central and South America.
Pineapple plants are characterized by adecorative rosette of leathery, equilibrium leaves that can be variously colored. During the flowering period, the center of the rosette becomes bright. The large inflorescence consists of many brightly colored bracts.The flowering of pineapple trees can take up to several months , and when it stops, the plant dies. Before that, small rosettes are made that can be used to propagate the plant.
The firstplant from the Bromeliaceae familyto reach Europe in the 17th century was the edible pineapple. Ornamental pineapple species appeared in European botanical gardens only 150 years later.Nowadays, the fashion for these brightly flowering plants has returned and they find their way into our homes more and more often.
Ananas - Ananas
Two species are most often grown at home:true pineapple(Ananas comosus) andreticular pineapple(Ananas bracteatus). The second species is more decorative with striped leaves and decorative fruits. Under natural conditions, these plants reach a height of 100 cm and a diameter of up to 200 cm.Home pineapples are much more modest , but with good care, they can grow up to 70 cm tall. A few years old plant can bloom and bear fruit.
Ananas - Ananas
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For the pineapple to develop properlyit needs a bright, sunny position and sufficiently high temperatures of around 25 ° C. In winter, the temperature must not drop below 18 ° C.This species requires an air humidity of 60%. The substrate for pineapple should be very permeable, light, fertile and constantly moist. Feed the plants in spring and summer, using liquid fertilizers for pineapple plants every 2 weeks.
Replant pineapples every 2-3 yearsIn the case of older plants, we can limit ourselves to replacing the top layer of the substrate every 2 weeks . We reproduce plants by rooting the crown, i.e. the characteristic leaf plume above the fruit.
Ribbon Echmea - Aechmea fasciata
Echmea ribbon (Aechmea fasciata) comes from Brazil and is an epiphyte. Forms a rosette of leaves 30-45 cm high and 45-60 cm wide. Decorative leaves of echmei are arched, prickly, gray-green with transverse whitish stripes. After 3-4 years, thispotted pineapple plant forms a pink-purple inflorescenceup to 15 cm long.
Ribbon Echmea - Aechmea fasciata
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Echmea requires a diffused light position , but can handle even partial shade. We plant it in a very permeable, soilless substrate with the addition of fresh moss. During the growing season, it feels best at a temperature of approx. 27 ° C. In winter, the room temperature must not fall below 13 ° C. Regular watering with soft water is essential in the care of echmei. It is best to pour it directly into the rosette. We feed the plants once a month using multi-component foliar fertilizers.
Shining Frizea - Vriesea splendens
Glossy Frizea ( Vriesea splendens ) is one of theeasiest to grow pineapple plantsIt comes from Guyana and has a characteristic sword-like inflorescence in intense red color. The leaves are also decorative, dark green with transverse purple stripes.
Frizea - Vriesea
Fig. Eric Bajart, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
We shouldprovide a slightly shaded standfor frizei and a temperature of around 20 ° C all year round. Keep the substrate constantly moist and pour water directly into the leaf rosette. In hot weather, we can sprinkle the plant with soft, standing water. During the growing season, we fertilize the frize once a month by pouring a weakly concentrated fertilizer into the rosette. Replant the plant when the roots start to overgrow the pot.
Guzmania - Guzmania
Guzmania (Guzmania) comes from the mountainous areas of Colombia.The rosette of thin leaves on this potted pineapple plantmay not be particularly decorative, but the red-orange inflorescence, by all means. A flowering plant can reach 100 cm in height.
Guzmania - Guzmania
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Guzmania requires diffused light , high air humidity and temperatures above 20 ° C all year round.Ruzmania is planted in a permeable peat-based substrate, which should be constantly slightly moist. Every 2 weeks, pour water and liquid fertilizer into the rosette. We can also add foliar fertilizer to the water that we sprinkle on the plant.
Bluish Tillandsia cyanea
Bluish tan (Tillandsia cyanea) - is one of the most popular species of the genus Tillandsia. It creates a rosette of thin, leathery, pointed leaves and a thick spike of intense pink color. The inflorescence lasts up to 3 months.
Bluish tangle - Tillandsia cyanea
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This interesting pineapple plant requiresa clear position, high air humidity and a well-drained and fertile substrate. We water it often, but not too abundantly, and fertilize it every 2-3 weeks using foliar fertilizers for orchids.After it fades, remove the inflorescence sprout and regularly water the rosette until it springs out the rosettes, with the help of which we will multiply our weed.
Carolingian Neoregelia - Neoregelia carolinae
Carolingian neoregelia(Neoregelia carolinae) comes from Brazil and is one of the most commonly grown neoregelia in a pot. The neoregelia 'Meyendorfii' variety is especially lovely. Despite the fact that it is an epiphyte, similarly to the bluish braid, it grows well in a fertile, permeable substrate. Creates a rosette of slender, striped leaves. In summer, the center of the rosette becomes intensely red and the plant forms a magnificent lavender-purple inflorescence.
Carolingian Neoregelia - Neoregelia carolinae
Fig. Digigalos, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pineapple potted plants - cultivation
Mostpotted pineapple plants grown at home require similar conditions and care. Although some of them, such as pineapple, can tolerate direct sunlight, the vast majority prefer bright places with diffused light. In autumn and winter, it is recommended to provide additional lighting to the plants to provide them with 12 hours of daylight.
Potted pineapple plants requirevery light and loose soil, preferably peaty. Epiphytes cope well in soilless soil. Special substrates for pineapple plants are available, and we can also use ready-made orchids.
It is desirable to maintain a fairly high temperature in the room all year round.Flowering of pineapple plants is possibleat a minimum temperature of 24 ° C. If we cannot provide the plants with sufficient light in winter, the temperature in the room should be reduced to 15-17 ° C.
Pineapple potted plants - guzmania and frizea
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All pineapple plants likefresh air circulating and therefore it is worth ventilating rooms with plants regularly. At the same time, we must remember not to expose plants to drafts.
Pineapple plants from the tropicsusually require high air humidity. Often sprinkle the plants with soft, chlorine-free water (e.g. standing water for at least a day), place the pot on a stand filled with water, or install an air humidifier nearby.At a temperature below 18 ° C, lower the air humidity so as not to expose the plants to infection with fungal diseases.
Regular watering with soft water isvery important in the care of bromeliads . This should be done often, but not too generously. In addition to pouring water into the rosette, we must remember to keep the substrate slightly moist.
Fertilization of pineapple plantsstarts in May and ends in August. The diluted fertilizer can be poured into the rosette during watering or supplied by foliar application. It is best to use fertilizers intended for plants from this family or also fertilizers for orchids strongly diluted.
Replant young plants every 1-2 yearsOlder specimens need to replace the top layer of the substrate every year.
Pineapple Potted Plants - Reproduction
The biggest decoration of pineapple iscolorful, large inflorescences. They keep fresh for up to several months.After flowering, the plant gradually dies, while creating outgrowths that will be used for reproduction. It is best to wait for the mother plant to die completely, then either separate the young rosettes or leave them all together, removing the mother plant. With proper care, young plants will flower in 1.5-2 years.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
