Many people’s first introduction to Bromeliads is a display in a grocery or home improvement store. These collections usually include, at most, a handful of different species. But if you’re intrigued enough to start researching them online, you may be bowled over by the incredible variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures within this family. Just how many types of Bromeliads are there?
A Bromeliad is a member of the plant family Bromeliaceae, which encompasses over 3,000 species. Most types of Bromeliads grown as houseplants are tropical epiphytes that display vivid colors when they’re in bloom. However, there are many lesser-known variants that can be just as intriguing and beautiful.
Readers who have only a passing familiarity with Bromeliad houseplants may be surprised to learn just how varied they are. Some of the rarer species may not look like they’re in the same family — or even from the same planet! This article will discuss some of the most well-known and popular Bromeliads as well as a few that many houseplant growers have never heard of. As a bonus, it will address some of the most common questions about where these plants fall on the evolutionary tree.
What Do the Different Types of Bromeliads Have In Common?
Before we delve into all the ways that Bromeliads can vary, let’s talk about the characteristics they share. Keep in mind that very few of the distinguishing traits we’re about to discuss are shared by every member of this enormous plant family. The exceptions are few and far between, though.
The first common trait is their growth pattern. Just about every Bromeliad grows as a rosette — a roughly circular spiral of leaves. These plants don’t form elongated stems. Instead, the leaves emerge just above the roots, with new foliage sprouting at the center of the rosette.
Depending on the species, the leaves may be shaped like blades or paddles, but they’re always long and narrow. In many types of Bromeliads, the leaves extend up and out while overlapping at the base, creating a depression at the center of the rosette. These are often known as “tank” or “urn” Bromeliads, and you can water them through this natural reservoir.
The vast majority of Bromeliad species are monocarpic, meaning that they flower once in their lifespan and then slowly die. While blooming and declining, they sprout small clones at the edges of their rosettes. You can remove and propagate these “pups” to ensure that you still have Bromeliads to care for.
Speaking of flowers: Bromeliads form complex inflorescences, large structures containing many tiny flowers that are surrounded by specialized leaves called bracts. The bracts are often very colorful, and if you didn’t know better, you might assume that they’re flower petals. Since leaves are generally sturdier than flowers, most Bromeliads can remain in bloom for months on end.
How Many Different Types of Bromeliads Exist?
As we noted above, the family Bromeliaceae has thousands of members. Biologists group them into eight subfamilies based on their genetic history:
Bromelioideae
Though this is the “newest” subfamily in evolutionary terms (a mere five and a half million years old), it’s also one of the most diverse. There are roughly 40 genera of Bromeliads in this group, including very popular types like Aechmea, Neoregelia, and Billbergia, and close to a thousand known species.
Most of the Bromelioideae are tank species that drink much of their water through their leaves. They tend to be epiphytes, attaching themselves to trees rather than growing in the soil. There are some exceptions, including the pineapple — yes, pineapple is a type of terrestrial Bromeliad!
Puyoideae
In contrast to the super-diverse Bromelioideae, the Puyoideae subfamily spans only one genus: Puya. The species in this group evolved in the Andes mountains. As such, they’re more resistant to both cold and sunlight than many better-known Bromeliads.
Puyas tend to grow in bushy puffball shapes with slender, sword-like leaves. When they bloom, they shoot up tall stalks that look a bit like gigantic hops flowers. The biggest known Bromeliad belongs to this group — it’s called Puya Raimondii, the Queen of the Andes. Its leafy central mass alone routinely exceeds 12 feet in height, and when it’s in bloom, the entire plant may get up to 50 feet tall thanks to its enormous flower stalk.
Pitcairnioideae
This is a diverse Bromeliad group, containing many terrestrial species as well as some that grow on rocks or trees. Lots of Pitcairnioideae have spiky, rigid, and drought-tolerant foliage. Some have fleshy, succulent leaves capable of storing water in dry conditions.
Navioideae
Formerly classified under Pitcairniodeae, the Navioideae family doesn’t get much attention from anyone but botanists. There are over 100 species in this group, but unlike the other types of Bromeliads we’ve mentioned, very few are grown in cultivation. Plants in this subfamily are often saxicolous, meaning they grow on rocks and cliff faces, wedging their roots into tiny cracks.
Hechtioideae
Just one genus, Hechtia, occupies this Bromeliad subfamily. There are 75 recognized species, all of them native to Central America, Mexico, or Texas. Like some of the Pitcairniodiae, they’re well-adapted to arid conditions thanks to their waxy leaves. Hechtias can withstand both cold and direct sunlight better than most Bromeliads.
Another unique factor about Hechtias: unlike most Bromeliads, they can rebloom again and again. Their flower stalks generally aren’t very showy compared to many other popular Bromeliad varieties, but their foliage is often visually interesting and vividly colorful.
Tillandsioideae
With more than 1400 species, Tillandsioideae is among the most prolific Bromeliad subfamilies. It also includes some of the genera most commonly cultivated as houseplants, including Guzmiania and Vriesea. The popularity of the Tillandioideae is understandable since they often sport intensely colorful, long-lasting flower stalks.
Most members of this family are epiphytes or lithophytes, growing in the cracks of tree bark or the holes in rock faces. This includes the genus for which the subfamily is named: Tillandsia, more commonly known as the Air Plants. They’re famous for their ability to grip onto just about anything and absorb much of their moisture from rain and humidity.
Lindmanioideae
This Bromeliad subfamily doesn’t get much attention, which is a bit of a shame. Some of the Lindmanioideae are strikingly beautiful, with brightly colored bell-shaped blooms rising from rings of bladelike leaves. Only two genera and around 50 species are currently classified as Lindmanioides — like the Naviodieae, they were previously considered Pitcarinioideae.
Brocchinioideae
There’s just one genus (Brocchinia) within this subfamily, with 20 officially acknowledged species. Most of them grow within the fertile biodiversity hot spot known as the Guiana Shield, located at the northeastern edge of South America. This may be the ancestral homeland of all Bromeliads, as Brocchinia appears to be the oldest lineage in evolutionary terms.
Despite its limited range, the Brocchinia genus is dramatically diverse. Some species are small, ground-dwelling carnivores that lure insects to a watery doom. Others grow into 20-foot-tall behemoths whose foliage tanks host entire ecosystems of bugs, frogs, and water-dwelling invertebrates. Very few Brocchinia species are grown as houseplants, but they’re fascinating reminders of the many forms that life can take.
What Are the Most Common Types of Bromeliads?
Here are a few of the Bromeliads you’re most likely to encounter in garden stores or the catalogs of online plant nurseries. These are the celebrities of the family, the ones with name recognition, even among non-specialists. Note that there are many other beloved varieties, but these are the most common of the bunch.
Scarlet Star Bromeliad (Guzmania Lingulata)
Also called the Droophead Tufted Airplant, this is probably the single most popular type of Bromeliad among houseplant growers. It grows as a cluster of long, deep green leaves, with a large star-shaped flower stalk rising from the central cup. This inflorescence is a vivid red in the wild, but there are cultivated varieties that bloom in various shades of yellow, orange, and pink, all of them shockingly bright.
Flaming Sword Bromeliad (Vriesea Splendens)
Even before the Flaming Sword blossoms, its bold zebra-striped foliage makes it an excellent decorative houseplant. But it gets its name from its flower stalk, which forms a flattish blade shape in a rich red hue.
Sky Plant (Tillandsia Ionantha)
The most well-known of the Air Plants, this Tillandsia species has the characteristic silvery-gray, sharply pointed leaves. When it’s ready to flower, it will flush hot pink before popping out a cluster of tubular purple blooms. The Sky Plant is hardy and grows with no soil at all, making it a very convenient choice for indoor growers.
Silver Vase Plant (Aechmea Fasciata)
This bold Aechmea variety is notable for the irregular silvery stripes running across its broad leaves, as well as its huge pink and purple pom-pom of an inflorescence. This is considered a relatively easy Bromeliad to care for, and it’s undeniably beautiful. Another common name for it is the Urn Plant.
Striped Torch (Gusmania Monostachia)
This Guzmania variant is known for its extra-long flower stalk, which looks a bit like a royal scepter. At the top is an egg-shaped cluster of red and white bracts, supported by a tower of green-and-white striped leaves that overlap like snake scales.
Pink Quill Plant (Tillandsia Cyanea)
The Pink Quill Bromeliad is greener than many other Air Plants, with fewer of the silvery hairs that make many of these plants so distinctive. What sets it apart is the vibrant, fan-shaped pink flower stalk that appears when it’s ready to bloom.
The Blushing Bromeliad (Neoregelia Carolinae)
Unlike most other types of Bromeliads, Neoregelias nestle their inflorescences inside their “tanks” instead of raising them up on stalks. However, they make up for their less dramatic flowers with the intense colors that appear at the center of the rosette. The Blushing Bromeliad, true to its name, develops a deep red hue on its central leaves while it’s in bloom. Some varieties also have variegated leaves with cream-colored stripes, adding to their visual interest.
Blue Tango Bromeliad (Aechmea “Del Mar”)
It lacks the banded leaves of the Silver Vase plant, but the Del Mar sports a jaw-dropping flower stalk. It looks almost like an undersea plant, with a tall coral-pink stem that branches out into feathery blue-and-white limbs. This is a nice compact cultivar that’s great for those without much space — it only reaches around eight inches tall.
Spanish Moss (Tillandsia Usneoides)
Yes, those masses of wispy gray-green tendrils trailing from tree branches throughout the southern United States are Bromeliads. To be more precise, they’re a type of Air Plant that grows without any roots whatsoever. It’s not a parasite, though — instead of stealing resources from its host trees, it absorbs water and nutrients from rainwater, mist, and falling detritus.
What Are The Rarest Types of Bromeliads?
Before we start naming names, we should be clear: this will not be anything like an exhaustive list. With over 5,000 registered cultivars of Bromeliads, there are far more rare varieties than common ones. Instead of trying to profile them all, we’ll introduce a few lesser-known cultivars that collectors might enjoy tracking down.
Vriesea Fenestralis
Many types of Bromeliads are grown mainly for their blooms, but the foliage of this Vriesea is what makes it unique. The long, curling leaves feature a tight pattern of dark green and lime green lines that make the plant look almost pixelated. Though the foliage is the real show-stopper, the blooms are cool in their own way. The plant forms a tall ladder of whitish-green bracts covered with red speckles.
Billbergia “Darth Vader”
How can you not love a plant with a name like that? This hybrid Bromeliad is most notable for its dark purple, nearly black coloration, accented with silvery horizontal stripes. The saw-toothed leaves form nearly vertical tubular rosettes. On the inside, they’re splashed with pinkish-white speckles.
Fuzzy Air Plant (Tillandsia Tectorum)
Technically, all Air Plants are fuzzy — the tiny hairs or trichomes on their leaves are what give their gray-blue coloring and let them soak up moisture from the air. But Tillandsia Tectorum stands out from the pack. Its long, draping tendrils are festooned with so many trichomes that you’d almost swear the plant is made of tinsel.
Sunburst Bromeliad (Sincorea Spp.)
The Sincoraea genus of Bromeliads has managed to fly mostly under the radar among most houseplant owners. They don’t look particularly interesting while growing, though their narrow, spiky leaves would doubtless be attractive to many succulent lovers. During blooming, though, they undergo breathtaking color changes. Blazing shades of maroon, magenta, and coral radiate out from the central well, surrounding the delicate white flowers blossoming there.
Aechmea “Fantasia”
The name of this cultivar seems entirely appropriate. It’s hard to believe the stunning multicolored bloom is real even when you’re looking right at it. The branches of the flower stalk are draped in fuschia-colored bracts that unfold to reveal wide feather-shaped spears in a combination of mint green, hot pink, and electric yellow. This is a patented hybrid variety that commands a substantial price tag, but it’s hard to overstate how striking it looks when it’s flowering.
Pink Torch Puya (Puya Coerulea)
Here’s an option for anyone worried that their home may be too cold for other types of Bromeliads. As a Puya, it’s remarkably hardy at low temperatures. The jagged, silvery leaves form a spreading rosette that will look great in the kind of sandy bed you might prepare for succulents. When the Pink Torch flowers, it produces an extravagant, multi-branched inflorescence in wild shades of bubblegum pink and royal blue.
Neoregelia “Banshee”
“Banshee” is a sensational hybrid from the famed Bromeliad breeder Chester Skotak. This Neoregelia has variegated leaves with creamy stripes down the edges, much like some popular Snake Plants. However, what makes it truly stand out are the peachy-pink tones in the foliage and the burgundy speckles running across the leaves.
Hohenbergia Stellata
The foliage on this rare Bromeliad variety isn’t much to write home about, though it sometimes develops a slight mottling of light and dark green that can add interest. What’s really special about this Hohenbergia variant is its flower spike, which can extend up to three feet tall. Every few inches, it sprouts ruby-red inflorescences with jagged points resembling bizarre crystal structures. Their bold scarlet color is complemented by the delicate blue-purple flowers that sprout between the bracts.
Are Bromeliads Just Different Types of Orchids?
Orchids and Bromeliads share many characteristics — long-lasting blooms, flower spikes, and foliage rosettes without prominent stems. Both plant varieties also include many epiphytic species. Since they have so much in common, many people wonder if Bromeliads are a subgroup of Orchids (or vice versa).
The answer is no. An Orchid is a member of the Orchidaceae plant family, while Bromeliads are Bromeliaceae. Genetically speaking, these two groups are quite different. The closest evolutionary link is that both Bromeliads and Orchids are monocots — but so are about a quarter of all flowering plants on Earth.
The similar features that Bromeliads and Orchids share are examples of convergent evolution. Though these plants are only very distantly related to each other, they’re dealing with similar pressures. Their short stems, flower spikes, and anchoring roots help them overcome the shared challenges of living attached to other plants.
Are Bromeliads a Type of Succulents?
Another common question many new Bromeliad growers have about these plants is whether they’re succulents. It makes sense, considering they’re often quite drought-resistant and have rigid, spiny leaves. But is this classification accurate?
The short answer is that some types of Bromeliads are succulents, but not all. Many desert-dwelling species, such as some Hechtias and Dyckias, have thick leaves that are adapted for long-term water storage. Some have other succulent features, such as waxy coatings to preserve moisture or crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) to enable them to release oxygen at night when the air is cooler.
The term “succulent” doesn’t refer to an evolutionary grouping — it just means a plant with traits like those described above. However, some sellers and collectors use the word in a narrower sense that may exclude plants like cacti and Bromeliads.
If you’re buying a Bromeliad, don’t worry too much about exactly “how succulent” it is. Just pay attention to the individual plant’s care requirements. Most Bromeliads have pretty similar needs, including:
- Coarse, fast-draining soil
- Bright light, but only small amounts of direct sun
- Occasional mild doses of balanced fertilizer
- Enough space to allow for decent airflow
- Watering only when the soil dries out (or the water in the leaf “tank” is running low)
Final Thoughts
Anything less than an encyclopedia can only scratch the surface of the enormous variability among Bromeliads. Still, hopefully this article has given you a sense of just how diverse and beautiful this plant family is! Whether you’re just dipping your toe in or you’ve been collecting them for years, there are always new types of Bromeliads to discover.