About
Aechmea chantinii is an evergreen perennial that develops a rosette of tough, strap-like leaves adorned with grey marbling. From the center of this rosette emerges a branched inflorescence bearing yellow flowers, which are accented by prominent red 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
- South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
- Native to
- Colombia, Peru, Amazonian Venezuela and Brazil
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass or indoors in a epiphytic bromeliad compost in bright filtered light and low humidity. In the growing season water freely and apply a low nitrogen fertiliser monthly. Keep the central ""cup"" filled with soft water. Can be grown outdoors epiphytically in a warm, moist site or in moist, gritty, humus-rich soil
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by rooting offsets in early summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free