Aechmea 'Blue Rain'
- Height × spread
- 1m × 1m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Flowers
- Winter, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Grown for its extraordinary flowers which combine blue, white and red-orange hues in an architectural fantasy. The plant is a bromeliad that has broad strappy leaves that arch out from a central 'well' at the heart of the plant that is filled with water. The flower spike rises vertically from the centre. It has a central stalk coloured a vivid red-orange and alternating side-shoots that carry layered 'petals' coloured blue and white. The flower lasts for months. This is a tender houseplant that needs some care to give of its best but which is always an eye-catching talking point.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Occasionally while the plant is in growth, apply a specialist cactus feed that is low in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water moderately in winter
Water moderately.
Give a small amount of water so that the plant doesn't become flaccid (leaves lose their firmness and may droop or look lifeless), or dessicated, but do not saturate the compost or leave it standing in water.
Planting & general
Indoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Indoors
Fill central cup with soft water
Keep 'cup' at the centre of plant filled with soft or rainwater.
Compost · Planting
Bromeliad (epiphytic) compost for repotting
This is for bromeliads that are epiphytic in character, i.e. they grow on other plants or man-man structures. Their roots are used for clinging not absorption. Standard mixes are available or substitute with an orchid compost with a few bark chips.
If making one's own compost use a mix with equal parts of sphagnum moss peat (or its equivalent), fine bark chips and fine (horticultural) grit.
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.