About
Puya venusta, the coastal purple puya, is an evergreen bromeliad forming clumps of rosettes of narrow, greenish to silvery-grey leaves edged with sharp, inward-pointing teeth. Mature plants produce branching, red flower stems in summer bearing clusters of tubular, blue-purple flowers with reddish-pink bracts. 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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toChile
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. 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 sown at 19-24°C as soon as ripe
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceSusceptible to root rots in wet soils