10 Captivating Types of Bromeliads for Indoors with Pictures & Care Guides


Bromeliad Plants collage

Bromeliads are popular indoor plants grown for the beauty of their foliage or for the beauty of their blooms. A few like the Aechmea fasciata and Vriesea splendens belong to both camps.

The usual pattern for Bromeliads is a rosette of leathery, strap-like foliage and a bold flower-head which arises on a stalk from the cup-like center of rosette.

A Bromeliad may take several years to reach the flowering stage but the display may last several months. The flower head in most cases is due to the presence of showy bracts as the true flowers are small and short-lived.

Once the flower-head fades, the rosette of leaves begins to die and is replaced by offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which can be used to propagate new plants.

There are over 3700 Bromeliad species mainly native to the tropical Americas, with some species being found in the American subtropics and one species, Pitcairnia feliciana found in tropical west Africa.

We have outlined herebelow 10 of the best Types of Bromeliads that will grow successfully under indoor growing conditions.

10 Different Types of Bromeliads for Indoor Growing

Our list of types of delightful Bromeliads for indoors include the popular Air Plants, Queen's Tears, Blushing Bromeliads, Flaming Sword Bromeliads, Bird's Nest Bromeliads, Earth Stars Bromeliads, Ananas Bromeliads among others.

1. Air Plants (Grey Tillandsia)

Air Plant

Air Plants are some of the most popular Bromeliads for indoor growing due to their ease of care and vibrant colors when they bloom.

They bear absorbent furry scales on their foliage called trichomes which take up water from humid air and obtain nutrients from air-borne dust; it can be said that they literally live on air.

The Air Plants are not planted in soil but are displayed by sticking them on coral, shells, drift wood or by hanging them among many other ways. Learn how to grow and care for Air Plants.

2. Bird's Nest Bromeliads (Nidularium Bromeliads)

Bird's Nest Bromeliad, Nidularium Bromeliads

Nidularium Bromeliads differ from the Neoregelia group in that they have a central rosette of very short saw-edged leaves (Bird's nest).

The Bird's Nest (the very short saw-edged leaves) turns bright red at flowering time. The leaves below the bird's nest are about 1 ft long and 2 in. wide.

Popular varieties of Bird's Nest Bromeliads are Nidularium fulgens, Nidularium innocentii and Nidularium innocentii striatum. Read more on Bird's Nest Bromeliads and their care.

3. Blushing Bromeliads (Neoregelia Bromeliads)

Blushing Bromeliad, Neoregelia Bromeliads

The Neoregelia Bromeliads are grown for their spectacular foliage which changes as the plant is about to flower.

In some species of Blushing Bromeliads, the leaves at the center of the rosette blushes (change color) when about to flower and hence the common name.

In other species of Neoregelia Bromeliads, the leaf-tips change color as the plant is about to flower and they referred to as Fingernail Plants. Learn how to grow and care for Blushing Bromeliads.

4. Earth Stars Bromeliads (Cryptanthus Bromeliads)

Earth Stars Bromeliad, Cryptanthus Bromeliads

Earth Stars are a unique group of Bromeliads in that they only grow terrestrially in soil.

Cryptanthus Bromeliads are stemless low growing plants whose small wavy-edged leaves form a rosette.

There is a wide range of Earth Stars to choose from; plain, striped and banded in green, red, brown and yellow. Check out our guide on how to grow and care for Earth Stars Bromeliads.

5. Flaming Sword Bromeliads (Vriesea Bromeliads)

Flaming Sword Bromeliad, Vriesea Bromeliads

Flaming Sword Bromeliads are typical Bromeliads with a central vase surrounded by a rosette of leaves.

The flower-head in Flaming Sword Bromeliads is upright, sword-like and up to 2 ft long with bright red bracts in some species but in others the flower-head is more spreading.

Some species of Vriesea Bromeliads like Vriesea hieroglyphica and Vriesea fenestralis are grown more for their striking foliage rather than for their blooms. Read more on Flaming Sword Bromeliads and how to care for them.

6. Ornamental Pineapple (Ananas Bromeliads)

Ananas Bromeliads, Ornamental Pineapple

Ornamental Pineapples is a group of Bromeliads which produces pink flower-heads on mature plants followed by small aromatic but inedible fruits if grown under warm and humid conditions.

Ananas Bromeliads are grown for their striking foliage which makes them a spectacular sight to behold.

The Ornamental Pineapples leaves are sword-shaped and sharp-pointed and grow in a rosette. They are easy to grow and propagate. Learn how to grow and care for Ornamental Pineapples.

7. Pink Quill Bromeliads (Green Tillandsia)

Green Tillandsia Bromeliads

Pink Quill Bromeliads are vibrant houseplants which bear a large spectacular flower-head made up of pink bracts and blue flowers.

The flower-head in Pink Quill Bromeliads is flattened and can last up to 3 months. These Bromeliads are evergreen, perennial flowering plants.

The leaves in Pink Quill Bromeliads are covered with specialized cells called trichomes capable of absorbing water and nutrients that may gather on them. Check out our guide on Pink Quill Bromeliads indoor care.

8. Queen's Tears Bromeliads (Billbergia Bromeliads)

Queen's Tears Bromeliad

Queen's Tears are some of the easiest Bromeliads to grow. They are grown for the beauty of the drooping showy flower-heads whose bracts are about 3 in. long.

The leathery, arching 1 ft long grass-like leaves in Queen's Tears are reddish under good light.

These Queen's Tears Bromeliads mature at the age of 2-3 years and they flower quite easily. Read on how to grow and care for Queen's Tears Bromeliads.

9. Scarlet Star Bromeliads (Guzmania Bromeliads)

Scarlet Star Bromeliad

The Guzmania group of Bromeliads are grown for the beauty of their bright-red or orange showy flower-heads with a central cluster of small white flowers.

Guzmania Bromeliads are typical Bromeliads with leathery, arching leaves and a distinct central 'vase' from which stout stalk bearing a bold flower-head emerges.

These Guzmania Bromeliads are mainly stemless, evergreen, perennial flowering plants. Learn how to grow and care for Scarlet Star Bromeliads.

10. Urn Plants (Aechmea Bromeliads)

Aechmea Bromeliads, Urn Plants

Urn Plants are grown for the beauty of their foliage and for the beauty of their showy blooms.

Aechmea Bromeliads are typical Bromeliads with leathery, arching leaves and a distinct central 'vase' from which a stout stalk bearing a bold flower-head emerges.

The display of the flower-head in Urn Plants is due to the presence of long lasting showy bracts as the true flowers are small and short-lived. Read on Aechmea Bromeliads indoor care.

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