The Aechmea is a very diversified, hardy, extremely popular and very easily cultivated bromeliad family group. They range in sizes from a very tiny 15cm to more than 3 metres in height and 2 metres in diameter. Their foliage colours vary from lime greens, yellows, reds, burgundy to black and incorporates many patterns, spots, stripes, bands, matt, shinny, silvering, shading and blotches. These are often very different from the top of the leaf to the underside.

This very colourful and striking foliage is generally rather stiff and form attractively tall, tubular vase shaped rosettes to hold water. Some have spines on their leaf edges for protection and others feel almost smooth.

The Aechmea family have large inflorescence and brightly coloured, long lasting bracts hold the magnitude of tiny flowers. Often the colourful berry-like fruits mature for a long time on the flower spike. Some plants have large multiple bract inflorescences, while others are just singular spikes. Some plants have vertical flower spikes, others have long slender arching or even striking pendulous flower spikes.

gamosepala var.

Aechmea gamosepala variegated is commonly known as "Lucky Stripes" and is a very beautiful and hardy plant. The soft leaves hide the strong growing and pupping characteristics. The long slender ribbon leaves are a very rich green with margins from yellow to white on the edges.

The very striking individual purplish blue flowers protruding from the numerous large pink bracts and being displayed high above the contrasting foliage, last for many weeks, with several flowering periods per year.

This precious Aechmea gamosepala var. plant grows 20cm in diameter and 30cm high, either directly in the ground or in a small pot.

"Shining Light"

Aechmea "Shining Light" is a very beautiful hybrid plant. It's long soft looking leaves hide the robust growing characteristics. The rich dark green leaves with dark purplish on the ends and undersides give great decoration even when not flowering.

The very striking white flowers held in red and yellow buds, with the dark red multiple bracts, last for many months.

Aechmea "Shining Light" grows 60cm in diameter and 90cm high, either directly in the ground or in a medium size pot.

blanchetiana

Aechmea blanchetiana is a reasonably large and very beautiful species plant. These magnificent plants are ideal as single specimen feature displays. Their reddish golden leaves show the strong and tough growing characteristics and their tolerance to almost direct sunlight. The long stately leaves are a very rich reddish golden colour all the year, displaying a great royal presence and decoration, even when not flowering.

The very striking golden flowers in with the huge red multiple bracts, last for many months.

Aechmea blanchetiana grows 1.5 metres in diameter and 2 metres high, either in the ground or in a very large pot.

"Foster's Favorite"

Aechmea "Foster's Favorite" is an extremely beautiful hybrid plant. It's very slender reddish leaves hide the tough growing and clustering characteristics. The shinny dark burgundy leaves provide great cascading effects over rocks or from hanging positions, as the light filters through the leaves.

The very striking dark burgundy flowers held in red buds and on the red pendulous bracts, resembling a string of beads, last for several months. These red berry-like fruits mature for a long time on the red pendulous flower spike

Aechmea "Foster's Favorite" grows 40cm high, either in a small pot or attached directly to a log or tree branch. They require little to no attention to achieve brilliant colours and growth.

nudicaulis var. flavomarginata

Aechmea nudicaulis var. flavomarginata is a very beautiful, yet extremely hardy plant. The yellow edged green centred leaves are surprisingly strong and tough, with excellent growing characteristics and good tolerance to almost direct sunlight. The long variegated leaves are a very rich colour source all year, even when not flowering.

The very striking yellow flowers held in green buds and on the red vertical bracts, with the huge bright red primary leaves, last for several weeks.

Aechmea nudicaulis var. flavomarginata grows 50cm high, either in a pot or attached directly to a log or tree branch.

fasciata

Aechmea fasciata is a very popular species plant. The silver coated olive green leaves are strong and tough, with good growing characteristics. The tall curved leaves with a very rich silver grey banding over the olive green coloured leaves impresses all year.

The very striking purplish blue flowers turn rose red with age. They are held in a pyramidal flower head of brilliant clusters of pink primary bracts and leaves, lasting for several months. The bright pink colour with the silver leaves never fail to captivate the admirer.

Aechmea fasciata grows 30cm in diameter and 60cm high, either in the ground, a medium sized pot or attached directly to a log or tree branch.