The Plant That Gives an Exotic and Colorful Touch to the Rooms of the House, Requires Little Light and Minimal Care

Resilient, colorful, and capable of thriving where others would fail. This plant has earned a special place in gardens—but especially in home interiors, where it adds an exotic and fresh touch.

We’re talking about the bromeliad, also known as Guzmania. It belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, which includes over 3,000 species, many of them native to South and Central America. Although it’s a tropical plant, it can adapt to indoor environments and even to more temperate or cold climates if given a few basic conditions.

There are yellow, red, and white bromeliads; tall ones and short ones. Although many people think bromeliads are always in bloom, what usually draws attention isn’t actually the flower, but a structure called a rosette.

This rosette is a group of leaves arranged in a spiral that form a sort of funnel at the center of the plant. Its main function is to collect water and nutrients, especially in species that grow on tree trunks or branches without soil.

Some bromeliads produce a brief and colorful bloom in the center of the rosette. These flowers can be white, lilac, blue, or yellow and tend to be short-lived. What does last for months—and gives the plant its ornamental appeal—are the rosettes.

Unlike other ornamental species that require frequent watering or constant pruning, bromeliads need little water—usually just filling the central rosette every so often—and tolerate dry environments well.

They need light, but don’t do well with direct sun exposure. That makes them ideal for spaces with indirect natural light. They’re even great for bathrooms, where the humidity and temperature support their growth. But some natural lighting is always necessary.

Expert Tips for Beginner Gardeners

Experts recommend that after purchasing one, you replant it in a larger pot to allow it to grow and develop pups, which will help it propagate.

One of its greatest strengths is its ability to survive. Many bromeliads are epiphytes: instead of growing in soil, they develop on other plants, like tree trunks, without parasitizing them.

Some species even handle neglect better than overcare. If they get indirect light or partial shade, good airflow, and moderate temperatures, they can last for years and bloom at least once in their lifetime.

But it’s not just about looks. Some studies have shown that certain bromeliads help improve indoor air quality by absorbing volatile compounds and releasing oxygen. This trait, along with their exotic appearance and easy care, makes them perfect allies for decorating offices, kitchens, bathrooms, and low-light areas.

That said, it's important to be cautious with stagnant water in their center, as it can attract mosquitoes in warmer climates. To avoid this, simply refresh the water weekly or water the soil directly if the plant is grown in a pot with substrate.