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.
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