About
A terrestrial bromeliad producing rosettes of long, narrow, very stiff leaves with spiny margins and covered in felty, greyish hairs. Mature rosettes produce upright, branched, pink-flushed flower stems with sparse, very dark blue, bell-shaped flowers with pink flushed calyces.
About the genus
Puya are evergreen, terrestrial, perennial herbs with leathery, typically spiny, leaves forming dense rosettes. Native to Central and South America
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, Sub-tropical
Native toBolivia
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. See bromeliad cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed at 19-24°C as soon as ripe, or by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceSusceptible to root rots in wet soils