Dyckia Bromeliad, Sawblade Plant (Dyckia species)

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Plant Details

Category: Houseplants
Light: Bright Light
Bloom Season: Spring
Height: 8-24” / 
20-60cm
Space: 12-24" / 
30-60cm
Zones: 9, 10, 11
Lowest Temp: 20° to 30°F / 
-1° to 4°C
Colors: Orange

Basic Care

Water when soil surface is dry to the touch. Grow in bright, indirect light.

Water

Keep soil consistently moist, but not soggy wet.

Soil

Small loose bark or bromeliad mix.

Feed

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.

Dyckia Bromeliad, Sawblade Plant detailed care guide →

Ornamental Foliage

Containers

Features

Dyckia bromeliads produce a rosette of rigid, spiny leaves that come in foliage colors ranging from deep green to silvery gray or even burgundy. Often referred to simply as “Dyckia” or “sawblade plant” due to its distinctive, sharp-edged foliage. This is a terrestrial type of bromeliad, native primarily to arid regions of Brazil and other parts of South America.

Dyckia thrives in sunny, rocky environments but is well adapted to garden use or growing in a pot indoors or out. Small orange flowers appear in spring held on tall stems. Height of the plant and the flower stalks vary depending on the species. The spines lining the leaf edges are sharp; wear gloves when handling this plant.

Uses

A favorite for growing as a houseplant in a pot. Can be grown outdoors in frost-free climates.

Dyckia Bromeliad, Sawblade Plant (Dyckia species) Care Guide

If the plant was purchased in a pot, then it is probably already in a quality potting mix and requires little more than watering and grooming. Bromeliads rarely need to be repotted.

There are two types of bromeliads. Some bromeliads grow on other plants. These are called epiphytes, and they don’t require any potting mix. This type of plant can be grown in a light, well-drained mix of bark, composted peat and perlite, or, rather than growing in a pot, epiphytes’ roots can be wrapped in sphagnum moss and the entire plant can then be mounted onto wood or other surfaces.

The other type of bromeliad (terrestrial) grows in soil and requires a potting mix that retains more moisture, similar to the soils used for traditional potted houseplants. When potting this type of bromeliad, start with a good quality, commercial potting mix.

When repotting terrestrial bromeliads, select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting mix up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. Once potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give the plant a good start. Don’t water bromeliads that have a “cup” in the center of the rosette of foliage that holds water (known as tank bromeliads). In that instance the soil shouldn’t be watered, but rather the center of the rosette should be filled with water.

Bromeliads prefer the bark mix to dry in between thorough watering. Check the bark mix moisture with your finger. If the top inch (3 cm) of bark is dry, it’s time to water. Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the plant. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet. Discard any excess water that has accumulated in the pot’s saucer.

Any bromeliads that are not potted in a container, such as those mounted to a wood surface, should be misted well at least three times a week; more often if the air is dry.

Tank bromeliads (those that have a “cup” in the center of the rosette of foliage that holds water) should be watered by filling the cup with water. Keep the cup topped up with water. Every two months, empty the water and refill the central vase with fresh water.

Remove the flower stalks once they have faded. This keeps the plant looking tidy and may encourage more blooms depending on the type of plant. After flowering, bromeliads make attractive houseplants.

Some plants will re-bloom on their own, but others may have very specific day-length or temperature requirements to flower again. A bit of research may be necessary to determine what is needed to encourage future blooming.

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic.

Liquid fertilizer is the best for bromeliads that aren’t potted in a container. These types of bromeliads absorb the plant food through the leaves. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and dilute it to a quarter the recommended strength.

Slow-release fertilizer is the best for potted bromeliads. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and lightly sprinkle the plant food at the base of the plant. Avoid getting any fertilizer in the central cup of tank bromeliads.

Dyckia Bromeliad, Sawblade Plant Companion/Combination Plants

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