What is the proper care for this plant?

Shoshana
by Shoshana
We received this beautiful plant as a gift, but I have no clue what it is called or how to take care of it.
Any Hometalkers out there know? Much appreciated!
  6 answers
  • Maggie Maggie on Mar 15, 2018

    That looks like some type of agave. Best bet is to take your photo to a local nursery for identification and maintenance advice.

    It’s quite beautiful!

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 15, 2018

    that is a bromeliad.Use tepid water when soil feels dry to the touch, and put water in the area where the stem is

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 15, 2018

    bright indirect sunlight

  • Tom Stuart Tom Stuart on Mar 15, 2018

    This is a bromeliad. This looks like a Guzmania but I would have to see the flower to be sure. The other answers are all correct. Like Janet said, keep water in the cup around the center stem. When the flower begins to fade you will get smallpups growing around the base. When they are 1/2 the size of the mother plant you can cut them off with a sharp knife close to the base and repot them and you will have more plants.

    • See 1 previous
    • Tom Stuart Tom Stuart on Mar 16, 2018

      Janet and Shoshona, I have a friend who lives in Manhattan with dozens of bromeliads in his apartment. Here is the website for the New York Bromeliad Society. They may be able to give some specific advice.


      www.nybromeliadsociety.org

  • Tom Stuart Tom Stuart on Mar 15, 2018

    I just noticed that you and Janet are in the same area. She should be able to give you specific information on growing conditions. When the weather gets warm you can put the pot outside in a shady spot and it will appreciate the indirect light that it gets. You can use a small amount of a balanced fertilizer like 13-13-13.

    • Sassy Sassy on Mar 15, 2018

      Total aside here - my daughter lives in Ewa Beach!

  • Carol Marszalek Carol Marszalek on Mar 15, 2018

    It is a bromeliad. Low, indirect light, water only when dry. Propegate as stated above