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Aechmea ‘Burgundy’

COMMON NAMES

Burgundy Aechmea

Aechmea (eek-MEE-uh) - from the Greek for point, some say in reference to the stiff points of the sepals; others say in reference to the spear-shaped leaves

‘Burgundy’– hybrid/cultivar name; cross of (Aechmea distichantha x Aechmea schlumbergera) x Aechmea weilbachii f. leodiensis

GROUP 

Monocot

FAMILY 

Bromeliaceae

ORIGIN

Florida, USA

DESCRIPTION

Burgundy Aechmea is an herbaceous perennial that averages 1 ½ to 2 feet in height and 1 1/2 to 2 feet in width. As a bromeliad, it is compact and upright with arching leaves. It often has offsets at the base. It has a moderate growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, strap-shaped, leathery, semi-glossy, an average of 12 to 14 inches long and 1 ½ inches wide, basal rosette in arrangement, arching, stemless, and medium green to burgundy in color. The entire margins have small, sharp spines along the edges with a pointed tip and it has parallel veins. It has a central tube-shaped cup.

The blue flowers are ovoid-shaped with burgundy bracts. They are borne on a maroon and white spike. The inflorescence can last as long as 2 to 3 months with the fruits turning pink.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11, down to about 26 to 27 degrees F.

LIGHT

Part shade; bright filtered light indoors; full sun if somewhat protected from hot afternoon sun

SALT

Poor Salt Spray Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a coastal area as it has minimal tolerance. It would require multiple layers of protection such as in a greenhouse, indoors, or in a small enclosed area such as a courtyard beyond the dunes.

SOIL

It will grow on most any well-drained soil or epiphyte mix that is moist and organic in nature.

WATERING

It prefers consistently moist soil. It likes to have water in the vase rosette, especially in the summer.

PROPAGATION

Separation of offsets at the base of the plant

PRUNING

Basically just removal of dead leaves to keep it tidy

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work.

PESTS

Mealybugs; Mexican Bromeliad Weevil; Boisduval Scale

DISEASES

Bacterial Leaf Blight, Root Rots on overly wet soils

DEER

Seldom bothered

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

USES

Containers, interiorscapes, shade gardens, epiphytic sites, mass planting, specimen plant, tropical effect

TOXICITY

A search of ASPCA, Texas A&M University, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, University of Wisconsin, Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals - Merck Vet Manual, Purdue University - Guide to Toxic Plants in Forages, Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern United States - Alabama Cooperative Extension, Florida Poison Control, University of California, and The Cat Fanciers Association did not show this specific plant on any of their lists.

California Poison Control lists Aechmea spp. – Urn Plant as non-toxic.

University of California lists Aechmea spp. as safe (with some exceptions).