Native to tropical America, this plant has stiff, pineapple-like leaves that grow directly from the ground and overlap to form a tube. A flower spike grows from inside the tube and is made up of brightly colored flowers and bracts. A minimum winter temperature of 60 degrees is needed.

These plants like a compost of peat, turfy loam and leaf mold in equal parts or in orchid peat alone. The pots should be just large enough to accommodate the roots without cramping. Repotting should be done in March and as much of the old soil as possible should be removed. During the summer, they should have a great deal of water, but in the winter they should be watered sparingly.

The best way to reproduce these plants is by separating the plants in March. Suckers may also be detached and potted at the same time. Seeds grow easily, if planted when ripe, in pots of sandy peat and placed in a propagating case.

Bromelia pinguin (red);
Bromelia fastuosa (purple);
Bromelia humilis (crimson);
Bromelia balansae (scarlet and maroon).