About
The Aechmea Foster's Favorite Group consists of evergreen perennials characterized by elongated, wine-red foliage that arranges itself into a loose rosette. From this center, an arching spike emerges, showcasing blue flowers surrounded by red bracts, which eventually develop into red fruits.
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
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
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