Meet the Tank Bromeliad: The Pineapple’s Rainforest Cousin

Tank bromeliads (Bromelioideae) are those stylish tropical plants with leaves that form a little “cup.” That cup isn’t just for looks—it’s actually a rainwater collector, a mini-reservoir where the plant drinks, grows, and eventually flowers. Nature’s built-in watering can.

Now, say “bromeliad,” and I bet the first thing that pops into your mind is pineapple.

Naturally, you’re probably asking: “So… is this tank bromeliad related to pineapple?”Yep, totally. Pineapple is also a bromeliad—just in the genus Ananas.

The main difference? Pineapple comes with dessert. Tank bromeliads, sadly, do not.

Ever seen a “pineapple tree”? Spoiler: it’s not a tree at all. The plant itself is squat and compact—you could raise one in a big flowerpot right on your balcony. And once you see it, you’ll notice the family resemblance between pineapple and its tank bromeliad cousins.

And here’s the kicker: if you’ve ever struggled to keep a pineapple alive ( I am not. I really has a pineapple tree and it tastes good.), a tank bromeliad might actually be easier. Think of it as “pineapple practice mode.” No fruit, but fewer heartbreaks.

Tank bromeliads are also a classic pick for rainforest terrariums. They’re tropical, after all. Personally, I haven’t kept any—mostly because they get big, and I’m usually working with smaller, home-sized setups. But if you’ve got a giant terrarium, hey, go for it!

Here are some fun ideas:

• Tie one onto a tree trunk.

  

• Pair it with moss and begonias.

  

• Let it hang out with air plants.

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See the theme here? Tank bromeliads love to dangle. In cultivation, they’re happiest when strapped onto a chunk of wood, like a plant version of rock climbing.

And if you live in the south, where tree stumps and roots are just lying around, you’ve basically got free bromeliad furniture. Why not give it a try?

Those photos are from my adventures at garden shows and botanical gardens over the years—proof that these plants really know how to steal the spotlight.