6 Great Benefits of Having a Bromeliad in Your Home


A bromeliad on the article What are the Benefits of a Bromeliad

We learn something new every day, and if we are keen, we apply this knowledge to our life, enriching it. In this light, I found myself in yet another plant parent seminar, dubbed the ‘benefits of houseplants.’

I already knew what to expect because I have been a plant parent for almost a decade now. But I knew there had to be more to it.

And I was right because I found out that pineapples were bromeliad plants. The bromeliad is a general term under which several genera fall, among which the ananas genus stands out.

Ananas is what most people refer to as a pineapple. To keep things interesting, you can grow it outdoors or choose the ornamental variety to spruce up your space.

I was curious to learn more about bromeliads and if I should consider planting them in my space. And these are the benefits that stood out to me during interactions with my fellow gardeners

The benefits of a bromeliad are; they purify the air during the night, they promote better sleep, they boost the aesthetics of your home or garden, induce calmness, increase productivity and are easy to take care of. 

What Are the Benefits of a Bromeliad?

Bromeliads are pretty varied, so these benefits will focus on houseplant bromeliads (including the pineapple) which are known to:

1) Purify the Air

A beautiful purple and red flowerThere are more than 3,000 species that fall under the Bromeliad umbrella. And one thing that stands out about them is their ability to clean the air by absorbing pollutants and releasing more oxygen into the air.

Is this a good thing? Of course, and an essential one – our environment keeps getting more contaminated by the day owing to industrialization.

And while factories are hard at work on seeking ways to mitigate their environmental impact, they are a long way from getting to acceptable emission rates.

So, in the meantime, we have to protect ourselves from air pollutants by whatever means necessary.

NASA once conducted a study on houseplants, revealing that their presence reduced the volatile organic compounds levels by 80%. Of course, not all plants had such high levels.

The bromeliad was one such plant that stood out owing to its outstanding air-purifying abilities, as it could even remove chemicals like benzene and acetone from the surrounding air.

So, if you want a plant that can protect you from air pollutants, this would be it.

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2) Promote Better Sleep

While most air-purifying plants are most effective in the daytime, the bromeliad goes to work at night. And that’s an integral part of why it’s known to promote better sleep.

But is there any science to back this claim? We have all heard of various ways insomniacs can sleep better – chamomile tea, taking social media breaks, listening to nature sounds, etc.

So, how does placing a bromeliad in your bedroom positively impact your sleep routine?

It comes down to a study conducted by scientists back in 2019. Researchers proved that being around plants calmed the nervous system.

And in doing so, stress levels went down, allowing the subjects to experience better sleep. Now, when you add that bromeliads also clean the air, you can see why they would be such a good choice.

Should you trust that this plant can also work for you? I should think so. After all, the 2019 study focused on astronauts.

You can imagine how hard it is to fall asleep in a spaceship. And if a bromeliad worked the trick, how much more effective would it be in your case?

3) Boost Aesthetics

What do you consider when adding any plant to your home? Is it how it looks against the backdrop of your wallpaper? Is it how it complements or contrasts the accessories in the room?

Often, we think of how a plant adds to the aesthetic of our home. I know that such thoughts always cross my mind.

And that’s how I decide if a plant goes to my bedroom, office, living room, porch, etc. Of course, I also consider the plant’s needs, but you get the idea.

So, is the bromeliad a good choice for your aesthetic? Why, yes! The bromeliad plant is a term used to refer to thousands of species that fall under it.

And that means you have a wide selection of sizes, shapes, and colors when making this decision. It’s impossible to review all these options and come up short. Instead, the selection process can feel overwhelming because of all the choices.

You can choose to go with giant bromeliads that are sure to catch one’s eye from a distance. Or you can go mellow with the smaller options that work as accessories.

How about mixing things up and getting the best of both worlds? You will love just how the bracts (specialized leaves) in these plants stand out, attracting bees, insects, and other wonders of nature into your space.

If you take good care of your plant, the bract will remain intact for months. And who would not want that?

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4) Induce Calmness

multiple bromeliadsThink about your schedule. My schedule gave me so much anxiety before I started using a daily planner.

And sadly, that’s the reality that most of us face – it’s meeting after meeting, utility bill after another, endless phone calls, etc.

We barely have the time to sit back, relax, and live in the moment. Instead, we are on the move even when we are asleep because we can’t seem to find that moment where we can be still and just be.

Interestingly, while meditating and yoga are great for unwinding, so is being around houseplants. And the effect is even more profound around bright plants like bromeliads.

Does this seem too good to be true? Well, let’s back it with some science. We all know that the Japanese enjoy a hardworking culture where being productive is a top priority.

But this can often be stressful for people who must keep up with long hours and tight deadlines, which can induce stress.

So, in one study, researchers sought to understand if being around houseplants would positively impact the work environment.

How did they do it? They used a comparative analysis where they introduced a houseplant to the subjects’ offices for a given period.

Then in the next period, they removed the plant to see if the workers’ stress levels would change.

What was the result? The presence of flowers did positively impact the workers’ anxiety and stress levels. They were calmer, which brings us to our next essential point.

If you’re enjoying this article, check out our article on the bromeliad light requirements.

5) Increase Productivity

How many productivity hacks have you tried in the past? There are many options – Pomodoro timers, to-do lists, accountability partners, etc.

But how about adding a plant to your office space? It might seem like a trivial act – so simple. However, sometimes simplicity is the answer. How so?

Consider most people’s schedules. They clock into work at about 8 or 9 in the morning and push through the morning hours.

They break for lunch and come in, fighting that after-lunch slump and counting the hours until they can leave for home.

At first, it does not seem like much of an issue. But when the days turn to weeks then months of the same-old routine, people become restless and are easily distracted.

That’s when spending time on social media feels more rewarding than working on an urgent report.

A study conducted in offices in the UK back in 2014 had an interesting recommendation. Researchers had realized that placing plants in offices was a sure way to boost productivity for office workers.

Why? – Most offices are bland with whitewashed walls, office-like furniture, and people walking around in neutral-colored suits.

None of these is exciting enough to awaken the senses, thus sending people into a lull. But how about a brightly-colored bromeliad in the corner? How great would that be?

Plants break the monotony that clouds most office spaces. And if you feel that your room is a bit too boring for your liking, introducing bromeliad species could work.

You may also like: Why is my bromeliad plant turning brown

6) Have Low Maintenance Needs

So, the bromeliad has a lot in store for you. But does it take back-breaking work to get the plant to flower? Do you need to agonize over its care and watch every little step you take?

Luckily, that is not the case. Once the plant has the right growing conditions, it gives rise to bracts and flowers that will make the simple care routine worth your while. But what is this routine you need to follow?

Lighting

On this one, it’s best to check with the kind of species you have in your space. Some species love direct sunlight, while others will die under such exposure.

Adequate light is essential to your plant’s growth and blooming, and you cannot take chances with this requirement.

Soil

Most houseplants do well in well-draining and nutrient-rich potting mixes. And that is what your bromeliad will need.

Ensure the plant is not in soggy or dry soil, and it will be fine. If you want to grow the bromeliad as an air plant, you can mount it or hang it.

Watering

What do these tropical plants need in terms of water? Some species can survive in dry soil. However, most of them will thrive in moist soil.

Water the potting mix when the top layer of the soil feels dry. And avoid leaving the plant’s roots in water as bromeliads are susceptible to root rot.

Temperature

While bromeliads can withstand most temperatures, they do not do too well when exposed to the cold.

Thus, if you live in a cold area, you can cover them in the winter or bring them indoors when the weather gets too cold. Ideally, they should be kept at 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity

A bromeliadWhat is the ideal humidity range for these plants? Keep it at about 60%, and the plant should be fine. The goal is to replicate the tropical conditions to which the plant is accustomed.

Bromeliads do not feed much. So, feed them in the active growing seasons using fertilizer diluted to half of its strength. And avoid feeding them in the colder months.

Final Thoughts

Here is another fun fact I stumbled upon – the fleshy part of the pineapple is the flower of the bromeliad. How interesting is that! This unbelievably juicy section of the plant that boasts 54 calories per serving is part of the decoration.

Happy Gardening!

Bean Growing

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