Guzmania: How to Care for This Bromeliad and Grow Its Pups

Guzmania is one of the most popular bromeliads: a bright “torch” of red, orange, yellow or pink bracts rises from a rosette of glossy leaves. It lasts for months, which is why guzmanias are often given instead of a bouquet. The key is understanding how the plant works, so you are not alarmed when the rosette fades after flowering.

Flowering plants instead of a bouquet: potted plants and flower baskets.

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What kind of plant it is

Guzmania belongs to the bromeliad family and comes from the rainforests of Central and South America. In the wild most species grow on trees as epiphytes and collect water in the central cup of the rosette. The genus is named after the Spanish naturalist Anastasio Guzmán. The colourful part is made of bracts; the true flowers are small, white or yellow and short-lived.

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Care

• Light. Bright but indirect; direct sun bleaches the leaves and bracts.
• Watering. Pour soft, lukewarm water into the central cup and keep the compost just moist. Replace the water in the cup about once a week so it does not stagnate. In winter or in a cool room keep the cup almost dry.
• Humidity. Likes moist air: mist the leaves or use a humidifier.
• Temperature. 18–27 °C, away from draughts.
• Soil. A light bromeliad or orchid mix in a small pot.

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What happens after flowering

Like most bromeliads, guzmania flowers once in its life. When the bracts fade, the parent rosette gradually dies; this is natural, not a care mistake. Meanwhile offsets, or pups, appear at the base and will flower themselves in a couple of years.

How to separate a pup

• Wait until the pup is about a third the size of the parent and has roots of its own.
• Cut it away at the base with a sharp, clean knife.
• Pot it in a small container of light bromeliad mix and keep it warm and humid.
• If you prefer not to separate it, cut away the dead parent and leave the pup growing in the same pot.

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Getting it to flower

A pup flowers once it is big enough, usually after 2–3 years, given warmth, bright indirect light and humid air. Growers sometimes trigger flowering by sealing the plant in a bag with a ripe apple for a few days: the apple releases ethylene, which prompts bromeliads to form a flower spike.

Safety

Guzmania is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. For another pet-safe option, try the prayer plant, and for more showy bloomers see “Beautiful flowering houseplants”.

FAQ

Why is my guzmania dying after flowering?

It is the normal life cycle: the parent rosette dies and the pups take over.

Should I keep water in the cup in winter?

In a cool room keep the cup almost dry and just moisten the compost, or it may rot.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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