About

Aechmea 'Del Mar' is a perennial bromeliad that maintains its foliage year-round. It produces a rosette of elongated, strap-like leaves that are a vibrant green and bordered with tiny, sharp spines. The plant features clusters of small blue-purple and greenish-white flowers, which are framed by prominent purple-blue bracts, all supported by bright pinkish-red stems. Flowering can occur in any season, with spikes remaining in bloom for as long as a year.

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
Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H1B

Plant details

Plant type
Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit
Tufted
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow epiphytically, or in epiphytic bromeliad compost, in bright, filtered light in a heated greenhouse, or as a houseplant. See bromeliad cultivation
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by offsets
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free