Full Sun for Bromeliads: Can They Handle It?

Are you wondering if bromeliads can take full sun or not? If so, then you have come to the right place. Just read our article thoroughly, and you will find answers to all your questions regarding this topic.

In the following paragraphs, we will tell you if bromeliad can tolerate full sun, and we will give you the exact amount of light needed by this plant for healthy growth.

Can Bromeliads Take Full Sun?

Generally, bromeliad can’t take full sun. This plant is native to tropical north and south America, where they grow under the cover of trees. But, some brome bromeliad varieties can tolerate full sun.

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Bromeliad varieties with soft, flexible leaves will tolerate only lower lighting levels because their leaf tissue burns up quickly under intense sunlight.

A hardier variety with rigid, stiff leaves may be able to take full sun, but it requires a lot of attention to ensure that it doesn’t get scorched.

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How Do I Know If My Bromeliad Is Getting Too Much Sun?

Scorch is the first symptom of a bromeliad that has been exposed to too much sunlight. In fact, plants exposed to too much light will have a higher chance of scorching. There are two possible reasons for this.

The first is a possible chemical reaction within the plant due to the high level of photosynthesis. The second possibility is that the plant is overheated, which causes the leaves to burn.

Another sign that your bromeliad is getting too much sun is color loss. You can check the color of your plant by looking at the underside of the leaf. You need to shade your plant if you see the leaves turning brown or yellow.

Bromeliads can also respond to excess light by curling their leaves upwards to protect themselves. Generally, when a lot of light is put through the windows and the plant is not moved to a shaded area, the leaves will begin to curl upwards in a defense mechanism. 

Think of it in the same way excess food can harm humans. The same principle applies to plants. Moderate light can be beneficial to any plant, but excessive light is likely to be the cause of many problems.

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How Much Sun Should a Bromeliad Get?

Generally, bromeliads need between 6 to 8 hours of filtered, indirect sunlight per day to grow healthy. But, depending on which bromeliad variety you are growing, the light requirements may vary. Some are tropical and need lots of direct light, while others are much more shade tolerant.

A good rule of thumb is to determine how much light you can provide where you will grow your plant before deciding which variety is appropriate for you. For example, increasing a bromeliad variety that tolerates high light would be perfect if sunlight is available in abundance where you live. In this case, you can grow varieties such as Acanthostachys Strobilacea or Ananas Ananassoides.

On the other hand, if you can only ensure 6 hours of sunlight daily or less, then growing a bromeliad variety that tolerates low light would be the best choice. In this case, you can grow bromeliad varieties such as Guzmania or Neoregelia.

The best location where you can grow bromeliad at home is south facing window in a humid area of your house, such as the kitchen. In fact, the south-facing window will provide the plant with the necessary light without putting the leaves at risk of burn. But most importantly, the kitchen is a relatively warm and humid environment because of cooking and backing. This makes the ideal conditions for your plant to grow well.

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How Can I Acclimate My Bromeliad to Full Sun?

Before acclimating your bromeliad to the full sun, you should ensure that the plant has a well-established root system. In fact, when we start exposing a plant to excess light, it will automatically experience drought. But, if the plant has a well-established root system, its roots can extend farther in search of water and nutrients. This will help the plant resist drought and be less prone to drying out.

If your bromeliad has a well-established root system, you can gradually start acclimating it to full sun. Start by increasing your bromeliad’s sun exposure by 20% every week, and make sure you also progressively increase light filtering. 

Remember that patience is key when acclimating plants to full sun. Generally, if you live near the equator, your plant will need more time to adjust because it will have to deal with high temperatures and a long day’s length. On the other hand, if you live far from the equator, acclimating your bromeliad will be easier.

Additionally, acclimating a bromeliad to full sun in a humid environment will be much easier than doing it in a hot, dry climate. In this case, humidity provides a buffer for the plant. Generally, exposing a plant to extreme heat in a dry environment will make it difficult to dissipate the extra heat very effectively. But, if the humidity is high, the plant can better handle the heat.

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