Puya spp.

puya

Bromeliaceae Andes and South/Central America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 7–11

Overview

Puya spp. is a genus of roughly 200 species of terrestrial bromeliads in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the mountains and arid zones of South and Central America, with the greatest diversity in the Andes. Plants form dense rosettes of stiff, narrow leaves armed along their margins with sharp recurved spines, the foliage grey-green to silvery and 1 to 4 feet (0.3 to 1.2 m) long. Unlike most bromeliads, Puya spp. roots in the ground rather than growing on trees. At flowering, a stout spike rises well above the rosette, carrying densely packed flowers in metallic blue-green, teal, yellow, or purple, often with orange anthers; the spikes range from 3 feet (0.9 m) in smaller species to over 30 feet (9 m) in P. raimondii, which produces the tallest inflorescence of any bromeliad. Many species are monocarpic, with each rosette dying after it flowers, though offsets or seed continue the colony. The genus grows on rocky slopes and high grasslands, often at elevations where nights are cold, and several species tolerate light frost. P. alpestris and P. berteroniana are grown in dry gardens for their turquoise flowers. Plants are slow to reach flowering size, sometimes taking a decade or more, and the spined foliage makes large clumps awkward to work around.

Native Range

Puya spp. is native to South and Central America, concentrated in the Andes from Colombia and Venezuela south to Chile and Argentina, with outlying species in Costa Rica. Plants grow on rocky mountain slopes, high grasslands, and arid coastal hills.

Suggested Uses

Puya spp. is grown in dry and gravel gardens, rockeries, and large containers, chiefly for its tall, metallic-flowered spikes. The spined rosettes also serve as barrier plantings in frost-free and Mediterranean climates.

How to Identify

Identify Puya spp. by a ground-rooted rosette of stiff, sword-shaped grey-green leaves edged with hooked spines. At flowering a tall, stout spike carries dense clusters of waxy flowers, often in metallic blue-green or teal with protruding orange anthers. The terrestrial habit and heavily spined leaf margins separate it from epiphytic, soft-leaved bromeliads.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 15'

Width/Spread2' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in late spring and summer once a rosette reaches mature size, which can take several years. The tall spikes remain in bloom for several weeks, opening flowers progressively from the base upward.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Metallic blue-green, teal, yellow, or purple

Foliage Description

Grey-green to silvery

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-15 years to flowering

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Puya spp. grows in full sun and sharply drained, gritty or rocky soil, tolerating drought and poor ground once established. Hardier species such as P. alpestris withstand short frosts to about 20 F (minus 7 C), while tropical species are tender. Plants need moderate water during active growth and dry conditions in winter, since cold, wet soil causes the roots to rot. Container culture in free-draining mix and planting in raised, gravelly beds both suit the genus. The spined leaves make handling and dividing clumps awkward. Feeding is minimal, and overly rich soil produces soft, weak growth.

Pruning

Puya spp. needs little pruning. Spent flower spikes are cut to the base after seed has set or the display has faded, and dead outer leaves are removed to tidy the rosette. Monocarpic species can be cleared once the flowered rosette dies, leaving the offsets.