Bromeliad plants are from the family Bromeliaceae, or the pineapple family. These plants are native to tropical North and South America and thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. In temperate climates they can only be grown as indoor plants, since they do not grow well in freezing temperatures. As with other plants, bromeliads can suffer issues such as yellowing leaves.
Bromeliad leaves turning yellow: What are the reasons?
1. You may have watered your plants too much
Bromeliads prefer moist but not soggy soil. These plants should only be watered about once a week; more than that could cause problems. Watering your plants before the soil has completely dried out could cause root rot, which results in the leaves turning yellow.
To prevent this from happening, be sure to check the soil with your fingers to ascertain whether it is moist or has dried out. If the former, refrain from watering, but if it is dry, you can proceed with watering the plants.
2. You may not be watering enough
While watering your plants too much could pose problems, not watering enough may also result in issues. If you forget to water your plants or if you have been away for a few days, they will start showing signs of neglect. The leaves will turn yellow and become dry and crispy, and may also turn brown.
Be sure to water the plants until you see water flowing from the drainage holes of the pots. Bromeliads need enough water to survive, so make sure that you check the soil regularly so that it doesn’t become too bone-dry before watering again.
If your bromeliad plants are in bad shape and turning brown, let them soak up water by filling a basin with at least four inches of water. Let the plants sit in the water for 45 minutes to soak it up. Make sure the top three inches of soil have become moist. Water the plants from the top and then let them start to dry out. They will hopefully start to return to normal again after this process.
3. It could be due to humidity issues
Bromeliads that are kept in environments with low humidity may start turning brown or yellow, as these conditions cause them to dry out faster than they normally would. The soil tends to get too dry, and the leaves may start browning around the edges and eventually turn yellow.
Increase the humidity in your home using a humidifier. This will protect your plants, especially during the winter months. You can also mist the leaves of your bromeliads with water. Make sure to regularly monitor the humidity level in your home.
4. The plants may not be getting enough sunlight
Yellowing bromeliad leaves may also be attributed to insufficient sunlight. Bromeliads thrive in environments with medium or bright indirect sunlight, but they do not do well in low-light areas. Plants that are placed in low-light areas develop yellow leaves, so make sure yours have appropriate lighting. Placing them near a window is ideal since there is indirect light, but avoid placing them in full sun to avoid sunburn.
5. It could be due to pest infestation
Pests like spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs suck the sap from plants and drain them of moisture. As a result, the leaves turn yellow and eventually become wilted. The fronds will also turn yellow. You need to exterminate these pests with insecticides or a soapy water solution. You can also try neem oil, which is organic and equally effective.
6. It could just be natural causes
If you notice yellowing of the leaves but the plant is healthy, there may be nothing to worry about. Bromeliads tend to get rid of older leaves to make way for new growth. The discoloration may be a part of the natural growth cycle.
However, it is still ideal to monitor the plants for anything unusual in their color or growth.
Conclusion
Bromeliads come in many varieties and thrive in tropical areas. They are also prone to yellowing leaves due to certain causes including humidity issues, or if you are watering too much or too little. It could also be due to pest infestation, insufficient sunlight or natural causes.
Image: istockphoto.com / Robi_J