Sugar and starch dynamics in the medium-root-leaf system indicate possibilities to optimize plant tissue culture

•The implications of sucrose in in vitro bromeliad cultures for plant growth an development are depicted with a holistic carbohydrate approach.•High enrichment of sucrose results in a massive accumulation of leaf carbohydrate (glucose, fructose and starch) up to 600% in comparison with greenhouse adapted plants.•During acclimation, carbohydrate breakdown is induced in plants originating from high enriched media whilst those on low enriched media engage in photosynthesis immediately.•Important savings can be realised by use of lower enriched media (i.e. 5 instead of 25g sucrose per liter) without compromising future plant growth an development.