What kind of plant is this? - Ask Extension
Hello!We are trying to identify this succulent type plant. We inherited it and it is not doing too well, so we are trying to find out what it is so th...
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What kind of plant is this? #355343
Asked August 21, 2016, 11:11 PM EDT
Hello!
We are trying to identify this succulent type plant. We inherited it and it is not doing too well, so we are trying to find out what it is so that we can make it healthy again! The leaves are fairly thin with small spikes on along the edges. There is one main stem with several leaves growing out of the "cone".
We are trying to identify this succulent type plant. We inherited it and it is not doing too well, so we are trying to find out what it is so that we can make it healthy again! The leaves are fairly thin with small spikes on along the edges. There is one main stem with several leaves growing out of the "cone".
Jackson County Missouri
Expert Response
Hello,
This appears to be a Bromeliad. Here are some tips for growing this as a houseplant: http://libguides.nybg.org/content.php?pid=661016
Regards,
This appears to be a Bromeliad. Here are some tips for growing this as a houseplant: http://libguides.nybg.org/content.php?pid=661016
Regards,
As an amateur who has been growing these for many yrs, let me highlight a few facts:
1. your pot is way too big, so your soil might be holding too much water so roots rotting. These are not terrestrial (soil) plants, so most water they get is through the cup not roots. However, the top is heavy, so what i usually need to do is put the plant in an appropriate small pot, then put that pot in a larger one which has stones in bottom and around sides to anchor it.
2. your soil appears to be too "heavy." Although it appears to have some perlite, bromeliads should be in very light mix. Suggest mixing at least 50% orchid bark mix with potting soil.
3. given the width of the leaves and dead zones, it is possible that you have a mother - so it had pups that were removed, and this part will die within a yr or 2 regardless of what you do.
4. best results with bright light but little or no direct sun. good luck
1. your pot is way too big, so your soil might be holding too much water so roots rotting. These are not terrestrial (soil) plants, so most water they get is through the cup not roots. However, the top is heavy, so what i usually need to do is put the plant in an appropriate small pot, then put that pot in a larger one which has stones in bottom and around sides to anchor it.
2. your soil appears to be too "heavy." Although it appears to have some perlite, bromeliads should be in very light mix. Suggest mixing at least 50% orchid bark mix with potting soil.
3. given the width of the leaves and dead zones, it is possible that you have a mother - so it had pups that were removed, and this part will die within a yr or 2 regardless of what you do.
4. best results with bright light but little or no direct sun. good luck
