Bromeliaceae - Botanical Family

King of fruits! One of the most delicious fruits in the world, especially when picked and eaten fresh. Pineapples are a tropical fruit that is rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, with the ability to boost the immune system. Popular varieties of pineapples include Royal Hawaiian, Victoria Gourmet, Hawaiian Gold, Sugar Loaf, and Miniature Dwarf. There are also ornamental varieties, such as the variegated pineapple "Ivory Coast," that are valued for their exotic tropical look and require very little care.

Pineapples are short, stiff herbaceous plants that are closely related to bromeliads. They have long, thin leaves with spiny tips and prickly edges, and a violet or reddish flower on a dense head, which appears from January to March in Florida. The fruit is compound, fleshy, and usually yellow to orange when ripe, with a rough outer skin.

Pineapples are not very susceptible to diseases, but they can suffer from root rot, mealy bugs, and spider mites. To prevent these issues, it is important to keep the area clean and free of any infestations. In cold regions, it is necessary to bring the pineapple container inside and keep it in a cool place during the winter. If temperatures drop below freezing for an extended period, it is necessary to cover the container with a thick layer of mulch to protect the plant.

Pineapples can be grown and harvested in pots, but it is important to be careful with watering and only use acidic soil. Like any bromeliad, pineapples need very little water and the soil should be allowed to dry between waterings. The heaviest fruiting season for pineapples is summer, from May to September, although some varieties have a staggered fruiting season throughout the year.

Read more about Pineapple: The most luscious Hospitality Fruit: Pineapple.

Ananas 'White Jade' (also known as Eleuthera) is a highly prized pineapple variety valued for its spineless leaves, tender white flesh, and exceptional sweetness with very low acidity. The edible core is soft and juicy, making it perfect for fresh eating straight from the plant.

Pineapple Lava Burst is one of the most colorful ornamental pineapple varieties grown today. This spectacular tropical plant is prized for its dramatic variegated foliage streaked with burgundy, pink, cream, bronze, and green tones that often appear almost painted by hand. The colors can intensify even further in bright sunlight, giving the plant a glowing "lava-like" appearance that inspired its name.

Belonging to the bromeliad family, Lava Burst forms a dense rosette of arching, sword-like leaves that create a bold architectural shape. Even without fruit, the plant serves as a living tropical centerpiece and is widely used as an ornamental foliage plant in containers, patios, tropical landscapes, pool areas, and bright indoor spaces.

Like other ornamental pineapples, Lava Burst eventually produces a real edible pineapple fruit from the center of the plant. The fruit is typically smaller than commercial grocery-store pineapples but adds even more ornamental value when combined with the colorful foliage. The plant is grown primarily for its exceptional appearance rather than fruit production.

This variety performs especially well in containers because of its compact root system and manageable size. It prefers warm temperatures, bright light, and very well-drained soil. The strongest burgundy and pink coloration usually develops in full sun or very bright filtered light. Overwatering should be avoided, as pineapple plants prefer to dry slightly between waterings.

Pineapple Lava Burst is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create a tropical look in small spaces without using large trees or shrubs. Its unusual coloration and sculptural form make it popular among bromeliad collectors, tropical plant enthusiasts, and gardeners searching for something truly different.

Ananas 'Ivory Coast' is a striking ornamental pineapple variety with arching leaves variegated in creamy white, green, and pale pink tones, adding vibrant color and texture to tropical gardens and container displays.

Ananas 'Royal Hawaiian' is a premium pineapple variety valued for its sweet, aromatic fruit and vigorous growth, making it an attractive choice for both home gardens and ornamental tropical displays.

Araeococcus looks more like an exotic grass than the bromeliad it really is.

Billbergia nutans, commonly known as Bromeliad Queen of Tears, is a small shrub native to South America that is easy to grow and maintain indoors. It is a compact plant that seldom reaches 2 ft tall and wide with unusual, chartreuse foliage and vibrantly-colored flowers.

The foliage of this beauty can reach up to 15 inches and will spread out in a graceful rosette. The flowers that appear periodically are pink, purple, yellow or green and are surrounded by pink or red bracts. The foliage of this plant is what sets it apart from the rest. Its thick, strap-like leaves in a chartreuse color makes it a striking statement.

When given the proper care, Billbergia nutans can easily thrive as a houseplant. It requires semi-shade, adequate water and good air circulation. When grown outside in subtropical climates it will do best when protected from the heat and cold. When planted in a pot, make sure the pot is big enough for the soil to retain moisture. In cold regions, empty the rosette of water and pack it with insulation material before winter sets in.

Not only is Billbergia nutans an attractive houseplant, it's also known for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds when its in bloom. Its nectar sacs are what gives it its common name, Queen's Tears, as the nectar will "weep" from the flowers when the plant is moved or touched. Furthermore, it is such an easy variety to propagate as it readily produces offsets making it a great gift option and commonly known as Friendship Plant.

Billbergia was established as a genus in 1821 by Thunberg. The name is a tribute to the Swedish botanist Gustav Johannes Billberg. The flowers range from virtually colorless to deep violet, some are night-bloomers and a few are fragrant. According to the petal habit Billbergias are divided into two groups: billbergia, in which the petals recurve slightly and helicodea, in which the petals coil back like a spring. The seeds are contained in hard berries just below the flowers. Pups are produced on short stolons so that a clump forms quickly. Billbergias in habitat are generally epiphytic and may also grow on rock. In culture some (B. nutans, B. pyramidalis) also thrive as terrestrials in ordinary (well draining!) garden soil. They prefer a small pot. Billbergias are usually grown "hard"-strong light to enhance leaf coloration and markings, little or no fertilizer to ensure that the plant does not outgrow its optimum size and color.

Most bromeliads are epiphytes in their native rainforest habitat. They have small roots, mainly used for anchoring themselves on trees, so these tree-dwelling plants gather moisture and nutrients through their leaves. You can encourage bromeliads to flower by adding a pinch of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to the water or fertilizer. Keep it in partial shade. Water the center of the rosette and keep room-temperature rainwater or distilled water in its urn (center of the rosette) at all times. Water soil just enough to keep the roots barely moist. Empty old water from the urn once a month and promptly replace it with fresh water. Do not soak base of plant, which can lead to root rot. In fall and winter, keep the soil slightly drier. Soil: orchid mix.

Billbergia have been crossed with Cryptanthus

and the resulting hybrids Cryptbergia are intermediate in habit between the two genera.

This species is endemic to Brazil.

Cryptanthus are prized for their foliage rather than their flowers, which are typically nestled, "hidden," in the center, hence the name: cryptos+anthos (hidden flower). They are dependent on their root system for water supply, since they do not store in their centers. Because Cryptanthus are moisture-loving and not subject to fungal problems, they are excellent plants for terrariums.

Cryptanthus have been crossed with Billbergia

and the resulting hybrids Cryptbergia are intermediate in habit between the two genera.