Generally bromeliads have a rosette of leaves. The leaves may form a wide flat pin wheel, grow grow upright forming a tube or may be anywhere between these extremes. Size can range from a few cm right up to the size of a small garage.
Foliage comes in an ever growing range or solid colours and intriguing patterns. Plain greens, silvers, grays and blacks are found in bromeliads along with a gambit of yellows, oranges, reds, pinks and browns to name but a few colours. The foliage shape can vary from short and blunt to long and sword shaped to grass like.
Bromeliad flowers can be spectacular and for some varieties extremely long lasting. While neoregelias have small flowers in their centre many others such as the aechmeas, vrieseas and guzmanias contain species and cultivars with spectacular blooms.Even though bromeliads can be highly ornate they do not have to be difficult to keep. Selecting a variety that does well in your climate will offer the best results. Though many can be kept across a wide range of latitudes you should pick your plant to suit the frost you experiance where applicable. Also consider the amount of light it should receive as many should not be placed in full sun while others thrive their once adapted.
The main problem attributed to the death of bromelads is root rot. This can be avoided by planting in a well drained mixture and allowing the roots to almost dry out before watering. The plant can also be placed in a smaller sized pot to allow the potting medium o dry out faster.
