Bromeliads are a huge group of neo tropical plants found all found in South America. Most grow as epiphytes or as terrestrials. They make for great house plants or if your in a more tropical climate, landscape plant. For me I try to carry the variegated or more unusual varieties that are not to difficult for my growing conditions. They normally prefer water in the center cup like section of the rosette like plant. Once they flower it can last for months then afterwards they die but not with out producing pups at the base to keep the next generation going.