Back to Bromeliad Island Garden

Malva Bromeliad

• ​​Common Name: Malva (other common names: Aechmea Bromeliad, Living Vase Bromeliad, Urn Plant 'Malva')
  
• Scientific Name: Aechmea mulfordii ‘Malva’
  
• Family Name: Bromeliaceae
  
• Origin: Brazil
  
• Height: 2’ – 3’
  
• Width: 1’ – 2’
  
• Growth: slow (2 - 3' in one season)
  
• Zone: 9A - 11
  
• Light Needs: Sun – Partial shade (prefers some shade)
  
• Salt Tolerance:  resistant to salt spray and wind
  
• Soil/PH/Texture: not picky about its soil and drains extremely well, mildly acidic – mildly alkaline (pH 6.1 – 7.8)
  
• Soil Moisture: Mesic - water regularly in its vase/rosette, do not or water or leave in soggy soil ever.
  
• Drought Tolerance: low, but humidity and heat tolerant
  
• Pests/Diseases: resistant to most pests and diseases besides occasionally mealybugs
  
• Growing Conditions: easy to grow and low maintenance
  
• Characteristics: Foliage is Green - Burgundy/Maroon – Dark Black (depending on sunlight), has spines, Blooms are clusters of starburst blossoms on a showy spike, orange, red, or bright yellow, under 1”, and last for months.
  
• Propagation: by division of rhizomes, bulbs, offsets, or pups (plant is sterile and does not set seed or come true from seed)
  
• Wildlife: flowers attract bees and butterflies
  
• Facts: hybridized by Anderson in 1995
  
• Designer Considerations: use as groundcover in mass plantings or in garden beds, as a border, accent plant, on a piece of wood or bark hung on a patio wall, planted in a tree, or as a container plant for your deck or patio.

Malva Bromeliad

Location

Bromeliad Island Garden