Aechmea spp.
aechmea
Tropical Americas (Mexico to Argentina)
Overview
Aechmea spp. is a genus of roughly 250 species of evergreen, mostly epiphytic bromeliads in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the tropical Americas. Plants form a rosette of stiff, strap-shaped leaves 8 to 36 inches (20 to 90 cm) long, frequently edged with small spines and often banded silver-grey or marked with darker cross-stripes. Leaf bases overlap to create a central watertight cup, or tank, that collects rainwater and organic debris. From the center of mature rosettes rises a flower spike bearing brightly colored bracts in pink, red, or orange, through which short-lived flowers of blue, purple, red, or yellow open in sequence. Each rosette flowers once, then slowly dies while producing offsets, called pups, at its base that continue the clump. The genus ranges from Mexico and the Caribbean south to Argentina, growing on tree branches, rocks, and occasionally the ground in humid forests. In cultivation Aechmea spp. is grown as a houseplant or, in frost-free climates, mounted on bark or grown in fast-draining mix. A. fasciata, the silver vase plant, is a commonly grown species. Plants tolerate low light but flower poorly without bright, indirect light. The colored bracts persist for several weeks to months after the true flowers fade.
Native Range
Aechmea spp. is native to the tropical Americas, ranging from Mexico and the West Indies south through Central America to Argentina. Most species grow as epiphytes in humid lowland and montane forests.Suggested Uses
Aechmea spp. is grown as an indoor pot plant and, in tropical and subtropical gardens, mounted on trees or grown in containers and rock gardens. The persistent colored bracts are used in interior display and tropical plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering time varies by species and, in cultivation, by when the rosette matures, but commonly occurs in summer. The colored bracts remain showy for 6 to 12 weeks while individual flowers last only a few days.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Blue, purple, red, or yellow with pink to red bractsFoliage Description
Green, often banded silver-grey or cross-stripedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Aechmea spp. grows in bright, indirect light and warm temperatures above 50 F (10 C), with cold below freezing damaging the foliage. It is potted in a coarse, fast-draining epiphyte mix or mounted on bark rather than dense potting soil. The central cup is kept filled with water and flushed periodically with fresh water to prevent stagnation, while the mix is watered only when it approaches dryness. Average household humidity suits most species, though higher humidity improves leaf quality. Dilute fertilizer applied sparingly during the growing season is sufficient, since bromeliads draw most nutrients through their leaves. After flowering, the parent rosette declines and can be cut away once pups have rooted.Pruning
Aechmea spp. needs little pruning. Spent flower spikes are removed after the bracts fade, and the declining parent rosette is cut out once offsets have established. Damaged or browned leaf tips can be trimmed to shape.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons