People owning bromeliads: what is the best way to care for them indoors?

Question

I just bought a bromeliad plant today and i've found numerous websites on caring for them...but there seem to be a variety of ways to care for this plant. I'm asking about watering, sunlight, and soil types. Also, is it best that i put an inch or two of pebble at the bottom to prevent root rot?

My bromeliad type is called a Guzmania.

--color is tutti frutti =)

Answer 1

When it comes to bromeliads, there's just no way you can say "high humidity!" too many times.  Light should be bright, but not direct (remember, in the real world, they're rain-forest-canopy plants); orchid soil works very well for them.  Be SURE they have VERY good drainage.  Feed them with a fertilizer suitable for orchids as well; they live in a very similar habitat for a reason.   The plant should also have VERY good ventilation, especially given that you WILL be keeping the air VERY humid.  I suggest at LEAST a  pebble tray under the plant (a dish filled with pebbles on which the plant sits, and which is filled with water ALMOST to the top of the pebbles); if you can manage it, a cool-mist humidifier works very well.

Enjoy - they're fascinating plants!