About
Aechmea aquilega is an evergreen epiphyte that thrives in warm conditions, developing a rosette of tough, leathery leaves that can reach dimensions of 80 cm in both height and width. The leaves are strap-like and feature sharp spines along their edges. In summer, this plant produces flower spikes that can grow up to 1 meter tall, adorned with golden-yellow flowers and pink bracts.
About the genus
Aechmea consists of evergreen perennials that develop funnel-like rosettes composed of long, strap-like leaves. At the top, they produce a spike of tubular flowers, frequently accompanied by vibrant, triangular bracts, which are succeeded by fleshy fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical, Houseplants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Where temperatures do not drop below 10°C it can be grown outdoors as an epiphyte, or in moist, gritty, humus-rich soil. Elsewhere it can be grown as a house or conservatorty plant in pots of epiphytic bromeliad compost, positioned in bright, filtered light. See bromeliad cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by removal of offsets
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free