We learn something new every day, and when we’re excited, we apply that knowledge to our lives and enrich them. In light of this, I found myself at another plant parenting seminar called “Benefits of Indoor Plants”.
I already knew what to expect, as I have now been a plant parent for almost ten years. But I knew there had to be something else.
And I was right, because I discovered that pineapples are bromeliad plants. Bromeliad is a general term that covers several genera, among which the pineapple genus stands out.
Pineapple is what most people call a pineapple. To keep things interesting, you can grow her outdoors or choose the ornamental variety to brighten up your space.
I was curious to learn more about bromeliads and if I should consider planting them in my space. And these are the benefits I have noticed during interactions with my fellow gardeners.
The benefits of a bromeliad are; They purify the air at night, promote a better night’s sleep, improve the aesthetics of your home or garden, provide peace of mind, increase productivity and are easy to maintain.
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What are the benefits of a bromeliad?
Bromeliads are quite varied, so these benefits are for houseplant bromeliads (including pineapple) which are known for:
1) Purify the air
There are over 3,000 species that fall under the bromeliad umbrella. And one thing that stands out is its ability to purify the air by absorbing pollutants and releasing more oxygen into the air.
Is this a good thing? Of course, and an essential: our environment is increasingly polluted by industrialization.
And while factories are working hard to find ways to reduce their impact on the environment, they are still far from acceptable emission levels.
So in the meantime, we need to protect ourselves from air pollutants by any means necessary.
JAR once conducted a study on houseplants, which found that their presence reduced volatile organic compounds by 80%. Of course, not all plants had such high levels.
Bromeliad was one of those plants that stood out for its excellent air-purifying properties, capable of removing even chemicals such as benzene and acetone from the surrounding air.
So if you want a plant that can protect you from airborne pollutants, this is the one for you.
You may also be interested in: Why Are My Bromeliad Leaves Turning Yellow?
2) Promote better sleep
While most air-purifying plants are most effective during the day, bromeliads work at night. And that’s an integral part of why it’s known to promote better sleep.
But is there any science to back up this claim? We’ve all heard of different ways insomniacs can sleep better: chamomile tea, social media breaks, listening to nature sounds, and more.
So how does placing a bromeliad in your bedroom positively impact your sleep routine?
It all comes down to a study conducted by scientists in 2019. Researchers have shown that the presence of plants calms the nervous system.
In addition, the stress level decreased, so the test subjects were able to sleep better. When we add that bromeliads also purify the air, we understand why they are a good choice.
Should you believe that this plant can also work for you? I think so. After all, the 2019 study focused on astronauts.
You can imagine how difficult it is to fall asleep in a spaceship. And if a bromeliad worked, how much more effective would it be for you?
3) Improve aesthetics
What do you pay attention to when adding a plant to your home? Does this look like on the background of your wallpaper? Is it how it complements or contrasts the accessories in the room?
We often think of how a plant contributes to the aesthetics of our home. I know these thoughts always cross my mind.
And so I determine if a plant goes in my bedroom, office, living room, porch, etc. Of course, I also look at the needs of the plant, but you get the idea.
So is bromeliad a good choice for your aesthetic? Because yes! Bromeliad plant is a term used to refer to thousands of species found under it.
And that means you have a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors when making this choice. It is impossible to look at all of these options and come up short. Instead, the selection process can be overwhelming with all the options.
You can choose to go with giant bromeliads that are sure to grab attention from a distance. Or you can relax with the smaller options that double as accessories.
How about mixing things up and getting the best of both worlds? You’ll love how the bracts (specialized leaves) of these plants stand out and attract bees, insects, and other wonders of nature to your space.
If you take good care of your plant, the bract will stay intact for months. And who wouldn’t want that?
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4) Induce calm
Think about your schedule. My schedule was causing me a lot of anxiety before I started using a planner.
And sadly, that’s the reality most of us have to deal with: meeting after meeting, bill after bill, endless phone calls, and so on.
We barely have time to sit down, relax and live in the moment. Instead, we move even when we sleep because we can’t find that time when we can be still and just be.
Interestingly, while meditation and yoga are great for relaxing, so are houseplants. And the effect is even greater around bright plants like bromeliads.
Does it sound too good to be true? Well, let’s back it up with a little science. We all know that the Japanese have a hard-working culture where being productive is a priority.
But it can often be stressful for people who have to deal with long hours and tight deadlines, which can cause stress.
Thus, in one study, researchers tried to understand whether the presence of indoor plants would have a positive impact on the working environment.
How did they do it? They used a comparative analysis in which they introduced a houseplant to the subjects’ offices over a period of time.
In the next period, they brought the factory back to see if the stress level of the employees would change.
What was the result? The presence of flowers had a positive impact on workers’ level of anxiety and stress. They were quieter, which brings us to our next main point.
If you like this article, check out our article on the light requirements of bromeliads.
5) Increase productivity
How many productivity hacks have you tried in the past? There are many options: Pomodoro timers, to-do lists, responsible partners, etc.
But how about adding a plant to your office space? It may seem like a trivial act, as simple as that. However, sometimes simplicity is the answer. As?
Consider most people’s schedules. They arrive at work around 8 or 9 o’clock and work all morning.
They break for lunch and head inside, fighting the post-lunch blues and counting the hours until they can get home.
At first it doesn’t seem like a big deal. But when days turn into weeks and months of the same old routine, people become restless and easily distracted.
It is therefore more rewarding to spend time on social networks than to work on an urgent report.
A study conducted in UK offices in 2014 had an interesting recommendation. Researchers realized that placing plants in offices was a surefire way to increase the productivity of office workers.
Because? – Most offices are boring with whitewashed walls, office furniture and people walking around in neutral colored suits.
None of these are exciting enough to excite the senses, causing people to shut up. But how about a brightly colored bromeliad in the corner? How cool would that be?
Plants break up the monotony that darkens most office spaces. And if you feel like your room is a little dull for your liking, introducing bromeliad species may work.
You may also be interested in: Why Is My Bromeliad Plant Turning Brown?
6) Requires little maintenance
The bromeliad therefore has a lot to offer you. But does it take hard work for the plant to flourish? Do you need to care about care and monitor every little step you take?
Fortunately, this is not the case. Once the plant has the right growing conditions, it will develop bracts and flowers that will make simple care interesting. But what is this routine to follow?
Relief
With this, it is best to check what type of species you have in your space. Some species like direct sunlight, while others will die under such exposure.
Sufficient light is essential for the growth and flowering of your plant and you should not take any chances with this requirement.
Floor
Most houseplants do well in well-drained, nutrient-rich potting mixes. And that’s what your bromeliad needs.
Make sure the plant is not in soggy or dry soil and you will be fine. If you want to grow bromeliad as an air plant, you can hang or hang it.
Water
What do these tropical plants need in water? Some species can survive in dry soil. However, most will thrive in moist soil.
Water the potting soil when the topsoil feels dry to the touch. And don’t let the plant’s roots sit in water, as bromeliads are susceptible to root rot.
Temperature
Although bromeliads can withstand most temperatures, they don’t do very well when exposed to the cold.
So, if you live in a cold region, you can cover them up in the winter or bring them inside if it gets too cold. Ideally, they should be kept between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
What is the ideal humidity range for these plants? Keep it around 60% and the plant should be fine. The goal is to mimic the tropical conditions the plant is used to.
Bromeliads do not feed much. So feed them during active growing seasons with fertilizer diluted to half strength. And avoid feeding them during the colder months.
final thoughts
Here’s another fun fact I found: the fleshy part of the pineapple is the flower of the bromeliad. How interesting! This incredibly succulent part of the plant with 54 calories per serving is part of the decoration.
Happy gardening!