About
Puya chilensis, the Chilean puya, is a large, clumping, evergreen bromeliad forming dense rosettes of lance-shaped, stiff, leathery, mid-green leaves edged with coarse, inward-pointing marginal spines. On maturity a stout flower stem to 1.5 m tall is produced bearing yellow-green, bell-shaped flowers interspersed with bird perches before the rosette dies (monocarpic). A dramatic, architectural plant for a sunny, frost-free garden.
About the genus
Puya are large, dramatic, evergreen, terrestrial bromeliads from Central and South America forming clumps or individual rosettes of leathery, typically spiny leaves and producing tall flower stems with bell-shaped flowers in green, yellow or blue. Grown as architectural specimen plants in sunny, frost-free gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Gravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toC Chile
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in terrestrial bromeliad compost in full light. Water moderately when in active growth in mid-spring to late summer and apply a low nitrogen fertiliser every 6-8 weeks. Plants will tolerate temperatures below 0°C for brief periods if acclimatised to cool winter conditions. In warm, sheltered gardens grow plants outdoors in a sunny spot in sharply draining soil and protect from winter wet
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed at 19-24°C as soon as ripe
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceSusceptible to root rots in wet soils