Ice-T Bromeliad
Location
Bromeliad Island
- Common name: Ice-T Bromeliad
- Scientific name: Aechmea
- Family name: Bromeliaceae
- Origin: Brazil
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Width: 3-4 ft
- Growth: Slow
- Zone: 9-12
- Light needs: Part sun
- Salt tolerance: Moderate
- Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers a loose, well drained potting mix, or a substrate to grow on, as it is epiphytic. Prefers acidic to slightly alkaline pH (pH 6.0-7.5)
- Moisture: Absorbs water through the cup in its center. This cup should be flushed out and refilled about once a week to avoid stagnation.
- Drought tolerance: Moderate
- Pests/Diseases: Mosquitoes and scale may breed in the water cup. Root rot may occur with overwatering.
- Growing conditions: Grows best in partial shade in moist but well-drained soil. It is an epiphyte, so it can be grown without soil with a soil-less medium around its roots, or in the branches of trees. Can also be grown in a container. Its water cup should be flushed out regularly to avoid stagnation.
- Characteristics: Leaves are long, thin and glossy, and may be slightly red along the edge. Leaves also have a spiked margin. The leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern, forming a cup-like shape. The flowers grow on a light orange scape – are red-orange bracts that grow in multiple clusters.
- Propagation: By offsets
- Wildlife: Water cup may have mosquitoes or frogs in it.
- Facts: The name “Aechmea” comes from the Greek word “aichme”, which means “spear”.
- Designer considerations: Can be paired with more densely foliated plants to balance out its smooth leaves. It adds spots of color to trees and planters, and can also be used as a mass planting for a tropical look.
