How to Make Your Own Potting Mix for Bromeliads

You should not use plain potting soil when growing bromeliads.

Bromeliads are tropical plants that are frequently grown as houseplants. These are easy-to-grow disease- and pest-resistant plants. They do, however, need to grow in a medium that is humus-rich and that drains very well. Buying a packaged growing medium specifically for bromeliads can be rather pricey, though. It is much cheaper in the long run to make your own potting mix for bromeliads. You should be able to find all the ingredients at your garden center.

Things You'll Need

• Large plastic container
• Coarse sand
• Peat moss
• Pine needles
• Partially composted tree bark

Instructions

1. Empty the bag of coarse sand into the large plastic container. For a container, you can use a trash can or even a plastic storage bin.

2. Mix an equal amount of peat moss with the coarse sand. Just use your hands to mix the sand and peat moss together.

3. Add some pine needles from your yard. These help to promote good drainage plus add more acidity to the soil, which bromeliads like.

4. Dump a small bag of partially composted tree bark into the mixture. This can be purchased at any garden center. The tree bark will also help moisture to drain quickly from the soil, which is something bromeliads like.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to mark what type of growing medium you have in your storage bin/trash can.

• Never leave your bromeliads sitting in a saucer full of water.

References

• Smithsonian Institution: Bromeliad Fact Sheet
• Louisiana State University: Bromeliads Make Great Houseplants