Aechmea
( EEK - mee - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of evergreen perennials is part of the Bromeliad family, and is considered 'epiphytic', which means that these plants grow off of others, and do not have their own root systems. Leaves are usually rigid and strap-like. In most parts of the Western U. S., Aechmeas are grown as indoor houseplants. They require a sunny window, and the leaf cup (commonly called a 'tank') should be kept partially filled with water. Their foliage is formed around a central tube, and they produce a summertime flower that lasts for months. While these plants are generally considered safe, they still require some cautious handling and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
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Aechmea Species and Varietals
Aechmea belongs to the family Bromeliaceae, and its name is derived from the Greek word 'aichme', which means spear or spear tip. There are about 250 distinct species of Aechmea, and many are epiphytic, meaning they grow on the surface of other plants and derive their moisture and nutrients from air, rainwater, and decaying debris around them. Aechmea grows best in zones 22-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Aechmea biflora This species is endemic to Ecuador, and can be found growing in tropical moist montane forests. There are many cultivars of this species, including 'Buchanan's Nebula', 'Caldera', 'Chiriqui', 'Light Years', 'Mars Rising', 'Mundillo', 'Solar Flare', 'Kathleen', and 'Pepe'. |
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Aechmea blanchetiana (Orangeade Bromeliad) These plants are native to eastern Brazil and are popular tropical ornamental plants. They produce many thorny, long leaves that increase in length as the plant matures, topping out around three feet long. Plants can be green, crimson, yellow or orange. These bromeliads can be either terrestrial or epiphytic. |
Aechmea calyculata
These bromeliads are endemic to the Atlantic Forest Biome in southern Brazil and eastern Argentina. There are many cultivars, including:
These bromeliads are endemic to the Atlantic Forest Biome in southern Brazil and eastern Argentina. There are many cultivars, including:
'Alaya'
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'Len Butt'
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'Phoenix'
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Aechmea chantinii (Amazonian Zebra Plant) This species grows leaves up to 3 feet long, and foliage is grey or green banded with silver or dark green. Flower clusters are tall, and come in yellow and red, surrounded by bracts that are orange, pink or red. Fruit that follows is either white or blue. These plants are native to Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. |
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Aechmea coelestis These plants are native to an area that spans southeastern Brazil. There are many cultivars of this species bred for their aesthetic qualities, and they are typically kept as indoor or greenhouse ornamentals. Varieties include 'Golden Beads', 'Beads of Coral', 'Pink Beads', 'Mauve Beads', 'Hal Ellis', and 'Mondamin'. |
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Aechmea comata These plants are popularly grown as ornamentals in greenhouses or indoors, and are endemic to southern Brazil. There are many culitivars of this species, including 'Covata', 'Covata Too', 'Golden Comet', 'Gotha', 'Julian Nally', and 'Keith's Comet'. |
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Aechmea fasciata This plant's foliage is grey-green with silver-white bands. Rose bracts surround a cluster of pale blue flowers that mature to a rose color. There are varieties with intense silver foliage and with leaves edged in creamy white. |
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Aechmea fulgens This plant's leaves are 12-16 inches long and are green with a grey dusting. Flower clusters appear in red, blue, and white. Berries are pink. Variety Aechmea fulgens discolor (pictured) has foliage in brownish-purple-red. |
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Aechmea Hybrid Varieties This group includes dozens of hybrids. Popular varieties include those in the 'Foster's Favorite' grouping, which come with bright red leaves and flower clusters in coral and blue, and 'Royal Wine', which has green leaves above, burgundy underneath, and orange-and-blue flowers. |
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Aechmea pectinata This species has 1.5-foot long foliage marked with pink or red at the time the blooms appear, and flowers are white-green. |
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Aechmea weilbachii Shiny leaves are green and 2 feet long, sometimes with red bases. Flowers develop into berries that are orange-red and tipped with lilac. |
Caring for Aechmea
These plants can be grown outdoors in frost-free areas, but otherwise they are best inside. Place your plant in an area that will receive bright, indirect light. They love fast-draining but moisture-retentive soil; they grow well in orchid bark. The central tube should be kept 1/4- to 1/2-way filled with water, and soil should be watered only when it gets dry. Sometimes in the winter, the center of the plant where you've been filling it with water may begin to brown and whither, which means it is exposed to water a bit too much. Try giving the plant less water (fill it up to just a quarter of the way full) and see if this helps, or even just switch to spraying the plant's foliage with water. These plants need a low-nitrogen water-soluble fertilizer (such as a 0-10-10 fertilizer) every month or two. A fertilizer meant for orchids works well, diluted to half strength as well as fertilizers meant for air plants. To apply fertilizer, spray the plant's foliage and surrounding growing medium with a spray bottle filled with your prepared mixture (follow the directions on the bottle for best practices). Hold back fertilizing and water, and ensure that the plant is receiving cooler temperatures in wintertime when your Aechmea will enter its dormant period.
Aechmea plants do not last forever - they will begin to sprout pups from the base, and this is a good sign that you'll need to say farewell to your plant soon. The good news is that these pups can be grown into new full-size Aechmeas. Wait until they have reached about 4-6 inches in length, and then carefully remove them from the parent plant and transfer them to new pots. They can also be attached to driftwood or rocks - remember, they are epiphytic! Pruning is not necessary for Aechmea plants; they will wither and die on their own when they are ready. Leaves on your Aechmea should be wiped down regularly with water to avoid them becoming clogged.
Aechmea plants do not last forever - they will begin to sprout pups from the base, and this is a good sign that you'll need to say farewell to your plant soon. The good news is that these pups can be grown into new full-size Aechmeas. Wait until they have reached about 4-6 inches in length, and then carefully remove them from the parent plant and transfer them to new pots. They can also be attached to driftwood or rocks - remember, they are epiphytic! Pruning is not necessary for Aechmea plants; they will wither and die on their own when they are ready. Leaves on your Aechmea should be wiped down regularly with water to avoid them becoming clogged.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate your Aechmea is through its volunteer offsets, also called 'pups'. As the parent plant is fading, you'll notice smaller plants forming on the sides. These will be the pups you'll want to harvest and transplant. Wait until these smaller plants have reached about 4-6 inches in length, and then carefully remove them from the parent plant and place them in individual pots with well-draining soil. Place them in a somewhat shaded area as they mature. They will start to form their roots soon, and be able to grow into full-sized plants. Then, follow the care instructions above.
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These smaller plants that form off of the parent plant are referred to as 'pups', and will grow into full-size plants given time and proper care. |
Problems and Pests
Aechmea is known for being a plant that is not susceptible to many pests, though it does have its issues. Most of the problems you'll run into involve water and light requirements. If you notice your Aechmea is not flowering well, or that the banding on the leaves is beginning to dull, your plant may need more sunlight during the day. If your plant is getting too much sun, the foliage and flowers will burn. If your Aechmea is getting too much water or is allowed to sit in water, the tender root will rot away and kill the plant, an issue known as Crown Rot. You'll notice the leaves towards the base of the plant beginning to yellow if this problem arises.
If you notice mold forming on the leaves, this can be a sign that you are providing too little light to the plant and are overwatering. To remove this issue, you'll need to repot the plant (or at the very least replace the top few inches of potting medium). If you notice that the bottom leaves are yellowing as well, the plant may be developing a Crown Rot issue. For more information on Crown Rot, how to prevent it and eradicate the issue, see the links below.
If you notice mold forming on the leaves, this can be a sign that you are providing too little light to the plant and are overwatering. To remove this issue, you'll need to repot the plant (or at the very least replace the top few inches of potting medium). If you notice that the bottom leaves are yellowing as well, the plant may be developing a Crown Rot issue. For more information on Crown Rot, how to prevent it and eradicate the issue, see the links below.
Gallery
Aechmea fulgens fruit.
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Aechmea in the wild will grow in the cruxes of tree branches and on rocks.
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A picture of the root system of an Aechmea plant.
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Videos
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How to care for Aechmea
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All about Achmeas
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 135, Aechmea
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
