Generally, succulent plants are those plants that hold water in them. They can hold water in leaves, stems, or roots. Even if you don’t water the plants, they can live from the water they hold in. So, these plants are often called drought-resistant plants.
So, you might be confused about whether bromeliad plants are succulent or not. Bromeliads are tropical or semi-tropical plants that have many similarities to succulent plants.
So, if you want to know about bromeliads and whether they are succulent or not, you have to know details about these plants.
Are bromeliads a succulent?
Bromeliads are considered succulent plants. Succulent plants hold water in their leaves, roots, stems, etc., places. Similarly, Bromeliads also hold water in their urns. So, these plants don’t depend on taking water from the root. They can live on the holding water even if you don’t water them.
Bromeliads are colorful plants with spiky leaves. They have thick, and fleshy stems that make them bold. Bromeliads are in the group of succulent plants. That means they can hold water in their roots or urns.
Being a succulent plant, Bromeliad can hold water in its urn. So, whenever they need water, they don’t have to pull in from soil or roots. They can use the earlier held water. Even if you don’t water them, they can live up to 7 days.
Almost all types of succulent plants have some characteristics. Bromeliads also have those characteristics. Moreover, the main requirement of being a succulent plant is to hold water in the body. Bromeliads fulfill this characteristic.
You might have seen this type of succulent behavior in the cactus. Bromeliads are not completely cactus. But they can also live in the dry seasons. So, the bromeliad is suitable to call a succulent.
3 reasons why bromeliads are considered succulents:
However, all plants are not succulent. Succulent plants have some special characteristics. So, you might want to know why bromeliads are called succulent plants. So, let’s see the reasons.
Hold water:
You might know that succulent plants hold water in the different parts of their bodies. So, bromeliads do the same. They hold water in their urns. Bromeliads use this water whenever they need it.
They don’t depend on the water on their roots. So, this feature makes them succulent plants.
Body structure:
Succulent plants have some specific features in their body structures. For example, their leaves, stems, colors, spikes, etc. are different types. So, bromeliads have those types of leaves, stems, colors, and spikes.
Living requirements:
Succulent plants can live in dry seasons. Even if it doesn’t rain, succulent plants can live. They don’t depend on regular watering in the roots. Similarly, Bromeliads can also live well in the dry season.
They will suck in water from their urns and spread in their body whenever they need water.
How do you tell if a plant is a succulent?
Identifying a succulent is not that difficult. You can tell even if you notice their body structure. Identifying a succulent is pretty necessary because some succulents are toxic. So, here are some characteristics from where you can tell if a plant is succulent or not.
Leaves:
Succulent plants have pretty different leaves. Generally, some succulent plants have spikes and some are very smooth. Their leaves can have many colors. Some leaves also have markings and bumps on them.
Even some succulent plants have fleshy leaves and a rosette shape.
Roots:
Generally, succulent plants have a shallow root system. Moreover, these roots don’t sit well in the wet soil. Even, too wet soil is bad for their growth. Moreover, they hold water in their bodies, so their roots don’t need to be thick and strong.
So, most roots of succulent plants are not like normal plants. But some succulent plants also have deep and broad root systems.
Behaviors:
Identifying the behaviors of the plant is the key to tell if the plant is succulent or not. The succulent plant will live in the dry seasons and will not need so much watering. They will use their held water if needed.
So, water holding behavior will ensure succulent plants.
What are bromeliad plants?
Bromeliads are common plants in many places. The Bromeliad plant is a special type of plant with thousands of species. These plants are seen mainly in tropical American places. Moreover, Bromeliads are monocot (family) flowering plants.
Bromeliads can grow both outside and indoor. Many people love to have them in their houses for their colorful appearances. These plants have many colors of leaves and they also bloom once a year.
Generally, Bromeliads are succulent plants. That means they can hold water in their body parts. For their being succulent, they can live in dry seasons too.
Bromeliads are pretty useful indoor plants. They absorb air pollution at the night and produce oxygen. Moreover, they are considered air purifying plants.
Bromeliads are also low-maintenance plants. So, if just need to water them once a week and keep them in the sunlight.
Can bromeliads grow indoors?
Yes, Bromeliads can grow indoors. You can grow these plants indoors with a low maintaining requirement. Generally, Bromeliads plants don’t need too much watering. So, if you water them once a week, they will grow well.
Moreover, the most effective feature of Bromeliads is their air-purifying quality. These plants absorb air-polluting elements. Moreover, they produce oxygen that is pretty useful for indoors.
Besides, Bromeliad leaves have beautiful leaves. Their color leaves enhance your home decoration. So, Bromeliads are excellent indoor plants.
Is the aloe plant a bromeliad?
No, the aloe plant is not exactly a bromeliad. Generally, aloe vera and Bromeliad both plants are succulent. That means they both have the ability to holding water in their body parts. But these two plants are not the same.
But aloe plants belong to Bromeliad since they both are succulent plants.
Bromeliads have thousands of species and types. But aloe vera is not the type of Bromeliads. You will see many differences in their appearances. Generally, aloe vera is green in different seasons. But Bromeliads can be different colors in different seasons.
Moreover, aloe vera and Bromeliads contain water in different parts of their bodies. Generally, Bromeliads store water in their urns and aloe vera in their leaves. So, the aloe plant is not a bromeliad plant. Aloe plants belong to Asphodelaceae.
Can you use succulent soil for bromeliads?
Yes, you can use succulent soil for Bromeliads. Generally, succulent soil is not the same as regular soil. When you plant regular plants with regular soil, you might expect the soil will hold water.
But succulent plants like Bromeliads hold water in their leaves and other parts. So, they don’t need too much water in the soil or root. Even, too much in the soil might harm succulent plants.
So, succulent soils are balanced soils that have good draining. So, these soils will be good for growing Bromeliads.
What soil to use for bromeliad?
Soil that has a good draining quality, is the best for Bromeliads. So, you have to choose or mix soils that don’t hold too much water. You can mix succulent soil, cactus soil, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix, etc., to make good soil for Bromeliads.
You can’t grow Bromeliads in random soils. They might survive some days, but they will not grow well. Moreover, if you want to grow them indoors, you must use suitable soil for Bromeliads.
So, soil that is mixed for low-water plants is suitable for growing Bromeliads. So, succulent soil and cactus soil with other mixes can be good soil for Bromeliad plants.
How to propagate bromeliads?
First, you will need seeds to propagate Bromeliads. So, you will have to search for Bromeliad pups that you might find around the parent Bromeliads. You have to separate the Bromeliad pup from the parent plant gently.
Then you have to prepare soil mix. Bromeliad special soil mixes are also available. You can also mix them on your own. Then you have to plant the Bromeliad pup in the pot.
Generally, Bromeliads are self-propagating. They need at least two years to bloom. So, after 2 to 3 years, they will make their own litters of pups.
Final Thoughts:
Bromeliads are succulent plants that harvest water in their bodies. So, they can easily live in dry seasons. Moreover, you don’t need to maintain them with a lot of effort as they require low water. Bromeliads have all the characteristics of succulent plants. So, you can easily identify them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why Is My Bromeliad Losing Color?
Are Bromeliads Perennials or Annuals?