How to Transplant Bromeliad Plants

Bromeliads are shade loving epiphytic plants that are propagated by transplanting offshoots called "pups." You can easily remove and transplant a bromeliad pup to create more plants for your garden or indoor collection. Bromeliad pups will produce flowers within one to two years, after which the mother plant will begin a slow decline, meanwhile producing more pups for you to transplant and grow. A bromeliad mother plant can keep producing pups until it dies.

Sharp knife, pruning shears or small saw

Peat moss

Bark

Coarse sand or perlite

Container

Rooting hormone

Small stick (optional)

Mix a growing medium with equal parts peat moss, bark and coarse sand or perlite.

Choose bromeliad pups that have developed enough leaves to resemble the mother plant. These pups will have at least 4 leaves, but the more leaves, the better chance they will root.

Push the cutting instrument into the soil and cut as close to the mother bromeliad plant as possible. Do not worry if the pup has no roots of its own.

Dip the cut end of the bromeliad pup into rooting hormone, and tap or shake to remove excess.

Place the bromeliad pup into a pot filled with potting medium and water well. Insert it deep enough to allow it to stand on its own, but not past the first row of leaves. Use a small stick for support if necessary.

After you transplant a bromeliad pup, keep the medium evenly watered, and keep water in the vase of the plant.

Fertilizer should be diluted to quarter strength and poured into the center of the plant.

Do not fertilize transplanted bromeliad pups until they show significant new growth.

Keeping the potting medium too wet will cause the pup to rot. Let it dry out completely between waterings.