I received a bromiliard as a gift and it has since turned brown.?

Question

Hi, I received my bromiliard as a gift and it has since turned brown.
First the
flower died and now the brown is moving down the plant, leaf by leaf.
How do I
keep it alive?

Answer 1

Hi, Bromeliads, of whichever type, are plants that generally don't grow in soil to get their moisture from it. They're typically found on tree branches etc. and collect water into their spouts or for some others, via their leaves like airplants.

Remember, houseplants have come from greenhouses, where they've received perfect light, humidity, feeds, watering and general care, so never give yourself a hard time if things don't go as beautifully as you wanted. They're also been induced to flower, when they're often somewhat immature.

Most of my bromeliads have sprouted from the base, once their flowering has finished - despite the browning, this may still happen. Just keep watering into the central spout(s), perhaps with rain water, which is kinder to it than tap water, which contains chemicals like Chlorine.

Give it a reasonably bright position, so that it can rebuild its strength and produce some babies, or 'pups' as they're known. My mum has had some of her plants become ugly looking, and they've still gone on to produce new pups and flowers. I've worked in horticulture for years, and you may benefit from putting fruit nearby to any pups that have grown from this older parent, once they're of a similar size to when you obtained it. The parent will not flower again, having served its life, flowered to reproduce, and will now continue to decline and die. OK, it's not the most beautiful houseplant now, but if you give it some TLC, then it can reproduce for you. Maybe you're already got some side shoot pups?

I'd probably also place it outdoors in a gentle rain shower to remove any dirt etc. from its leaves. Wishing you the best of luck!

Answer 2

Bromeliads like to be watered in the funnel created by the leaves. Once the mother plant flowers it will die, it's the nature of their growing habit. The good news is the mother plant will produce "pup" plants around its base. These shoots will continue to grow until they mature and flower, then they die, but produce more.

Answer 3

you may be overwatering it. only water when the soil is dry to the touch and move it to where it can get more light.