Aechmea Bracteata

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Bromeliad Island Garden

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Aechmea Bracteata

• ​Common name: Aechmea Bracteata
• Scientific name: Aechmea bracteata
  
• Family name: Bromeliaceae
  
• Origin: Central America​
• Height: 2 ft
  
• Width: 2 ft
  
• Growth: Slow
  
• Zone: USDA Zones 9B through 11
  
• Light needs: Indirect or dappled sunlight
  
• Salt tolerance: Low
  
• Soil/pH/Texture: This plant is an epiphyte and does not need soil to grow. It can be grown on tree bark or branches. If grown in the ground or in a container, use well-drained soil such as a bark-based medium. The soil pH should be acidic, between 5.5 and 6.5.
  
• Moisture: Water the soil/substrate only when it is very dry. These bromeliads are tolerant of high humidity.
  
• Drought tolerance: Moderate
  
• Pests/Diseases: Root rot may occur with overwatering.
  
• Growing conditions: Grow this bromeliad in a warm area with indirect or dappled sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. They are best suited for planting in trees, as this ensures adequate drainage. The roots do not absorb much water and are mainly used for support. The “tank” formed in the center of the rosette is used for collection and absorption of water. This area should be flushed regularly to prevent pests and bacterial growth.
  
• Characteristics: This large bromeliad may reach over 2 ft in height, with its flower stalk boosting it up to 5 ft. The leaves are thick, glossy, and oblong, with an apiculate “pinched” apex and toothed margins. Leaves vary in appearance by cultivar, with some fading to red or orange at the tips and others having a glaucous underside. They are arranged in a rosette which forms a central cup, called a “tank,” that collects water and debris so the plant can absorb water and nutrients. Flowers emerge in large clusters on a tall, brightly colored raceme from the center of the plant. The inflorescences vary in color and shape depending on the cultivar, but are generally round in shape with green, pink, or orange coloration. Flowers are usually accompanied by large, drooping, brightly colored bracts. The fruit is a small, round berry which turns black when ripe.
  
• Propagation: By offsets.
  
• Wildlife: The tank is often lived in by small frogs. The flowers provide nectar to ants and other small insects.
  
• Facts: The specific epithet “bracteata” refers to this plant’s prominent, colorful bracts. Bracts are modified leaves that appear next to flowers on an inflorescence and are often mistaken for petals. Some cultivars of Aechmea bracteata have bright orange or pink bracts.
  
• Designer considerations: As with other bromeliads, it is best suited, both biologically and aesthetically, for planting in trees, where its smooth leaves will balance out the finer texture of the tree’s foliage. Reserve this especially big bromeliad for larger trees. With proper maintenance it can also be planted indoors or on porches to add a tropical ambience to the room.