Oyster plants require low maintenance and can live with a bit of water, and they have a similar appearance to bromeliads, which confused many plant lovers and asked a lot that is oyster a bromeliad?
No! Oyster plants have some features of the bromeliad family, but the oyster plant is not a bromeliad. The main difference between the two is bromeliad form a cup in the center of the plant to hold water, but the oyster plant’s leaves are flat.
Also, both of them belongs to separate family. Here, we will learn about the oyster plants in detail, what it looks like, where it comes from, and the difference and similarities between these two plants.
What Is an Oyster Plant?
An oyster plant is a small, herbaceous plant that gets its common name from its small, oyster-shaped leaves. Here are a few more facts about oyster plants.
Native to
You can find oyster plants native to the Central United States, specifically in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.
They are also found in Guatemala, Belize, and Southern Mexico.
These places are warm and have humid conditions, which is perfect for the growth of oyster plants.
Family
The oyster plant is a member of the Commelinaceae family and is closely related to the spiderwort.
The plant is a perennial, meaning it will come back year after year. It typically blooms in the late spring or early summer.
Maintenance
The oyster plant is a low-maintenance plant that is relatively easy to grow. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
The plant is tolerant of drought and salt spray, making it a good choice for coastal gardens.
The oyster plant is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a pretty groundcover or border plant. It’s also a good plant for containers.
Make sure to give it plenty of room to spread, as the plant can become aggressive.
What’s the Different Between Oyster Plant and Bromeliad?
Oyster plants and bromeliads are two very different types of plants. Bromeliads are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants or objects.
Oyster plants are Commelinaceae, meaning they have leaves that are parallel to one another.
| No | Subject | Oyster | Bromeliad |
| 2 | Look | Oyster plant is famous for their colorful foliage. | Bromeliads also have colorful foliage but are also considered flowering plants. |
| 3 | Sun tolerance | These plants can tolerate full sun. | These plants can’t survive in full sun. |
| 4 | Growing Habit | Oyster plants can spread and become invasive | Bromeliad is known as a slow-growing plant. |
| 5 | Flower | They produce small flowers near the base and have no noticeable fragrance. | Some have a light scent, while others have a strong fragrance. |
| 6 | Benefit Medicine | These plants have been used for centuries as a folk remedy for colds, whooping cough, sore throat, and nasal bleeding. Recently, oyster plant extract has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. | Bromeliads may provide some relief for respiratory diseases, diabetes, inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders. |
| 7 | Edibility | When it comes to edibility, all parts of them are edible. | But these plants are not edible at all. |
| 8 | Water Storing Habit | Oyster plants don’t have any water storage. They don’t store water. | All bromeliads store water in their leaves. Some have a cup in the center to store water. However, a few species center leaves are shaped like tanks where water is being stored. |
Can I Trim a Bromeliad Plant if It’s Too Tall?
Can I trim a bromeliad plant if it’s too tall? Absolutely! When it comes to bromeliad plant height management tips, pruning is an effective method. Using sharp and clean shears, carefully remove the top portion of the plant, ensuring to cut right above a node or leaf. This will help maintain the plant’s overall balance and promote healthy growth.
What’s the Similarity Between Oyster and Bromeliad?
Oysters and bromeliads are both plants that are different in many ways. However, they do have some similarities. Here are some main similarities between the two plants –
Epiphytic Nature
Both plants are epiphytic. This means they grow on other plants or surfaces without causing harm. In fact, epiphytic plants often help to aerate and improve the drainage of the host plant.
Drought Tolerate Plant
These two plants are low-water plants and can adapt to drought conditions. This is one of the reasons why they are popular houseplants.
Soil Requirements
As drought-tolerant nature, both of them need well-drained soil, which is why a gardener can easily use cactus or African violet potting mix to grow them.
Colorful Leaves
Some bromeliads have very colorful leaves, and oysters also have brightly colored leaves. Because of their colorful leaves, both plants are often used as ornamental plants.
Although they have some similarities, oysters and bromeliads are still quite different plants.
Oysters are more closely related to terrestrial plants, while bromeliads are more closely associated with epiphytic plants.
Bromeliads also have a particular type of leaf called a bract, which oysters do not have.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the Oyster plant is an epiphytic plant closely related to the Bromeliad family. Also, they have colorful foliage, which is another similar attribute to some bromeliads.
But when it’s come to other things like family medicinal use and more, you will clearly notice that the oyster plant is not a bromeliad.
Hope this article helped to clear your doubts about the oyster plant bromeliad or not.
Resources:
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tradescantia-spathacea/
- http://hear.its.hawaii.edu/pier/wra/pacific/tradescantia_spathacea_htmlwra.htm
- https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/of-42.pdf
