Aechmea aquilega
eagle urn plant
A frost-tender, evergreen epiphyte forming a rosette of leathery, erect to arching, strap-shaped leaves to 80cm high and wide with sharp spines along the leaf margins. Spikes up to 1m tall of golden-yellow flowers with pink bracts are produced in summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Aechmea are evergreen perennials forming funnel-shaped rosettes of strap-shaped leaves, with a terminal spike of tubular flowers often with colourful triangular bracts, followed by fleshy fruits
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Where temperatures do not drop below 10°C it can be grown outdoors as an epiphyte, or in moist, gritty, humus-rich soil. Elsewhere it can be grown as a house or conservatorty plant in pots of epiphytic bromeliad compost, positioned in bright, filtered light. See bromeliad cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by removal of offsets
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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