This Brazilian epiphytal bromeliad (from the Greek for “hidden flower”) is a lovely plant for a low table. It prefers subdued light which will intensify the brown and cream barred leaves, suggesting the markings on a pheasant’s feathers; and it grows only a few inches high, the crinkly edged leaves spreading horizontally.

In March, I found a cluster of tiny, upright green points in the center of my plant. They opened quickly into small triangular white flowers on short, erect stems, and for six weeks, two flowers opened every few days. In the Summer, I made the mistake of setting the plant where it received some sun, and the leaves faded to a dingy brown. No real harm was done to the plant, for in the Fall three vigorous rosettes of new leaves came from the center of the plant, a beautiful seal-brown in color, barred with wavy white lines, the under side soft grey.

The leaves are five to seven inches long and nearly two inches wide, tapering to a sharp point. The edges are sharply serrate. A light soil, rich in leaf mold, suits it well. It enjoys frequent syringing and moist air, but not wet, heavy soil.

Vriesia has been grown for many years as a house plant, new varieties come and go. This image is a cart full of Vriesia Splenreit straight from the greenhouse. The plants will be cleaned and packed into boxes to be shipped to garden centers around the country.

For long lasting color for months in you home the Vriesia is a great choice.

The holidays are not too far away!. Soon everyone will be venturing into the attic or  bringing their decorations  up from the basement.

Here’s a unique use of Bromeliads to add color and interest to a Christmas tree. Now this may not be for everyone but don’t forget Bromeliads during the holidays. They provide long term color and make for long lasting gifts. Yes they are colorful but these houseplants and landscape plants can help you make this holiday season a "green" one! Plus they use no electricity!

Bromeliads can handle a wide range of light exposure and intensities… everything from low light to full sun depending on the variety.

Your bromeliads will look much better when they receive the proper light levels. The “perfect” light level varies depending on the Bromeliad variety.

For example, Tillandsias and Aechmeas often carry a hard, thick gray-green coloring with “silver” or “fuzzy” hair-like scales on the outside. These varieties can withstand higher light levels than varieties like Guzmania with soft green leaves.

In your home, a window with a southern, eastern or western exposure should provide satisfactory light for a Bromeliad, but “watch out”… most varieties used as house plants must not be exposed to the direct sunrays.

Your Bromeliad will “talk” to you about the current state of the light it receives… if the plant leaves carry a yellowish or pale green look, the light level is most likely too high. On the flip side a darker than normal green with elongated or open leaves may mean the light level is too low.

Much of the light needs depend on variety. Thick, hard leaves will handle much more light than soft dark green varieties.

This past week I was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a weekend seminar. Whenever I visit places checking out the use of plants always ranks up high on the list… both indoors (house plants) and outdoor landscape.

Down a few of the hotel hallways you would find various places to sit and have more private conversations with other seminar attendees. Decorating these areas were both live and artifical plants and flowers.

There were several Bromeliad arrangements  displayed  on  "hall tables"  with some type of artwork above the flower arrangements. Getting feedback from a friend who traveled in from Canada proved to be interesting.

Immediately she saw the Bromeliads and remarked how nice it was to see "fresh flowers" after traveling from the cold, freezing north! She was very surprised when I showed her the Bromeliads in the picture were actually  artifical.  The quality is amazing. I ALWAYS prefer live plants over artifical but do understand their need and use.

One of the most interesting things about the whole Bromeliad family is the wide variety of plants found in the family – many different sizes, shapes, flower colors and foliage colors and places they can be used.

Most of the ones we find used in the landscape or as house plants feature a rosette and flower spike planted right in the middle.

Bromeliads used in the garden, grouped together in a beautiful terra-cotta pot or as a stand alone work of natural art can add color and style in an easy to care for package.

Grouping the plants in a container let’s me trade out plants as they come in color… and change the look as often as I’d like. This picture is a group of different colored Guzmanias “planted” together is a nice 10″ terra-cotta pot. This combination gives you many options for longterm color and use…

Bromeliad the name may sound a little foreign but the name has not stopped the Bromeliad family from becoming one of the most popular house plants today. It’s bright colorful flowers and unique foliage make Bromeliads versatile for both indoor and outdoor use in landscape design. Bromeliads have long been a favorite for use for long lasting color and ease of care.

Orchids and Bromeliads are two families in the wide world of plants which offer many variations in size, shape, foliage and flower colors. One of the highlights Bromeliads deliver is their ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions both outside in the landscape as single specimens or as mass beds as ground cover. They equally excel in their use as a house plant where the brighten any room and con be used in many unique combinations.