Pineapple Dyckia

Bromeliads are fun, tough, little plants that have become popular as houseplants.

Dyckia are bromeliads sharing that group’s characteristic rosette shape. They are not technically succulents, as they do not store water in their leaves, but they do have similar thick, waxy foliage. Dyckia are xeriscape plants and can withstand long periods without moisture.

While actively growing, the plants need regular water to produce happy plants. The soil should not be soggy but evenly moist at all times. Use a saucer under potted plants to keep the roots from sitting in water but allow for evaporation and consistent humidity. In winter, when growth is dormant, you may reduce the amount of water by half. Fertilize from spring to fall with a half-strength liquid plant food. In the wild, the plants form pups or offsets, which result in new plants. The same is true in container-grown plants and these can be divided away from the parent with ease.

Dyckia need full sun and temperatures of up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C.) to thrive. Beware of exposing the plants to freezing temperatures for more than a brief time as they are not cold hardy. Temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 C.) seem to be the limit of Dyckia growing conditions. Dyckia are exposed to harsh sun and very dry conditions for most of the year. Then the rainy season appears and the plants are half-drowned. Contrary to common sense, they seem to love this treatment and plants are healthiest when the monsoon season is harsh and long.

Courtesy: Gardening KnowHow