How to prune alcantarea odorata

Anytime for dead leaf cleanup; pup separation when pups are one-third to one-half the size of the mother plant. Remove dry, collapsed lower leaves by pulling them away from the base or cutting at the stem. Once the mother rosette begins dying back after flowering, separate mature pups with a clean, sterilized knife and pot in free-draining medium.

Rarely — dead leaf tidy-up as needed; once per lifecycle for pup management. Alcantarea odorata (fragrant giant bromeliad) needs virtually no pruning. Lower leaves dry and collapse naturally; simply pull or remove them once fully dead. It is monocarpic and slow to flower, taking several years. After blooming the mother declines and produces pups — let them grow on the parent until large enough to separate.

Remove dry, collapsed lower leaves by pulling them away from the base or cutting at the stem. Once the mother rosette begins dying back after flowering, separate mature pups with a clean, sterilized knife and pot in free-draining medium.