Bromeliad
Bromeliaceae

Soil:

Well-drained

Light:

Full sun to shade

Height:

2-4 ft.

Width:

1-3 ft.

Description:

Any of the flowering plants of the order Bromeliales, containing a single family, Bromeliaceae, with almost 2,600 species. All but 1 species are native to the tropical New World and the West Indies. Bromeliad flowers have three parts, like lilies, but with contrasting sepals and petals. Many bromeliads are short-stemmed epiphytes. Many species bear flowers in a long spike, with coloured bracts below or along the spike. Most have fleshy fruit, but some produce dry pods. 

The leaves of some species contain fibres that are made into rope, fabric, and netting. The largest known bromeliad is the giant Puya raimondii of Peru and Bolivia, which may grow to more than 30 ft (9 m). Some species are cultivated indoors as ornamentals for their colourful flowers and foliage.