Blue Rain Bromelia

These striking Aechmea ‘Blue Rain’ are part of the Bromelia family and are surprisingly easy to care for. Their dramatic blue and red flower spike provides an impressive display that will last for weeks.

Bromelias are from tropical countries so grow best where it is warm - a kitchen is usually better than a bedroom. Protect your plant from frost and freezing conditions and try to find a spot that is bright but not in direct sunlight. A light room or window sill is perfect.

In the wild they grow like orchids, attached to trees so they only have small root systems. The leaves and flower spike form a rosette and in the wild rainfall is caught in this rosette or ‘tank’ and these bromelias will absorb all the water and nutrients they need like this. At home you can mimic rainfall by topping up this ‘tank’ when you notice it gets low. Tap water is fine but every now and again it’s worth just tipping your plant upside down to remove the collected water and topping up with fresh water instead.

Bromelias are tough plants and will recover from most problems with a little TLC. Slow growth and yellowing of lower leaves can be cured by a warmer night environment. However a sudden yellowing or browning of leaves is more likely to be due to overwatering. Once the plant dries out dead leaves can be removed and new growth should appear. More light will encourage a non-flowering plant back into bloom.