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Bromeliads are a diverse and increasingly popular group of plants for indoor gardening. Although many are epiphytes growing on other plants such as trees, they can still be grown in pots indoors in potting mix. According to online sources such as Plants in Design, bromeliads can be forced into bloom by exposing them to ethylene gas (product of burning wood, rotting fruit, etc.) with the suggested method to place them (after draining the water from their cup) inside a tightly closed, clear plastic bag for a week to 10 days along with a ripe apple as the apple releases ethylene when aging. After performing this tactic, it should take approximately 6-14 weeks for flowers to appear.

My bromeliad (Canistropis billbergioides) pictured above has not flowered since last year, although it has grown considerably. When it did bloom, it had a red influorescence that stood approximately 3 feet above the foliage. In the summer, I have taken the plant outside to sit under a shade tree in indirect sunlight without any problem. Once temperatures drop to 50 degrees F, however, it is best to bring bromeliads inside, since they cannot tolerate temperatures beneath 40 degrees F. With their beautiful colors, unique shape, and ease of cultivation, bromeliads are a welcome asset to any Midwestern indoor garden.

Please note that the Zones listed above are USDA Hardiness Zones and are only given as a rough indication of whether a plant will grow and thrive in your area. Temperature variations and unusual weather conditions can affect plant survival. To assist plant survival during the winter, you may wish to place mulch over the areas in question or plant the flowers in an area away from walls or cement. Additionally, digging up bulbs and roots to overwinter indoors may be preferrable to keeping them in the ground.