Bromeliads

Oh, Bromeliads!!! Once you discover them for yourself - you fall in love with these marvelous plants forever!
Just FYI, you have even tasted it...in the form of pineapple! Yes, pineapple is a member of the wide family of Bromeliads! In fact, this is the only 'family member' you can enjoy the taste of.

Bromeliads  appeared on the Earth more than 12 million years ago, they are native to South America. The ancient population of South America such as Incas and Maya  used them for food, fiber, protection and ceremony ( That's what Wikipedia reckons-but how do you use a Brom for protection?). Once they arrived  in Europe in the middle of the 1700's, bromeliads quickly found their way to people's hearts and gardens, and they keep that place today.
This plant is known for its incredible ability to live under different environmental conditions due to its many adaptations. In South Australia they will grow perfectly  in a shady spot of your garden with a bit of a morning sun, or keep it indoors for a stylish addition to your interior ! Bromeliads' water requirements are really low. They store  water in the 'well' formed by the leaves. Watering with a liquid fertilizer in Autumn and Spring is beneficial. In an indoor situation you can fill the pot with a little bit of potting mix and the rest can be a pine bark mulch or coconut coir. If planting in the garden don't dig a deep hole, 2-3 cm will be enough, place the plant in, cover with soil and top it up with a thick layer of mulch.
Some varieties change their leaf color under the sun from dark green to burgundy. They are perfect for adding some color to your garden. Be careful! Some  Bromeliads can 'bite' (some varieties have spikes around the edge of the leaves).There are so many varieties to choose from...You won't be able to resist their simple beauty....So, don't wait, grab yourself and start to explore the magic world of Bromeliads!

P.S. You can start with a pineapple first :)