- Botanical name: Aechmea 'Elegant Ruby'
- Common name: Bromeliad
- Family: Bromeliaceae
- Plant Type: Conservatory, House plant, Perennial, Evergreen
Red
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Bromeliad or urn plant, Aechmea, grows epiphytically in its natural habitat in the rainforests of Central and South America. In temperate climates it is grown as a houseplant. Aechmea ‘Elegant Ruby’ forms a rosette of broad, glossy dark green leaves. From the centre it bears a tall spike with elegant red bracts and clusters of tiny, red and yellow flowers.
Grow Aechmea ‘Elegant Ruby’ in a warm room, in a bright spot out of direct sun. It likes humidity, so place on a tray of damp pebbles or mist regularly. In its natural habitat the rosette of leaves form an ‘urn’ or well, which collects rainwater. As a houseplant, the plant is watered by filling the urn, too, to around one inch deep. Ideally, use rainwater, or failing that, distilled or filtered water. Empty and refill the urn every couple of weeks to prevent the water stagnating.
The plant is usually sold in flower. This will last for many weeks before it fades and the plant dies back. The plant will form ‘pups’ or baby plants at its base – when they are around a third of the size of the parent plant, they can be cut away and potted up, forming new plants.
How to grow Aechmea 'Elegant Ruby'
-
Plant size
50cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does flower in November |
D
Plant does flower in December |
Aechmea 'Elegant Ruby' and wildlife
Aechmea 'Elegant Ruby' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Aechmea 'Elegant Ruby' poisonous?
Aechmea 'Elegant Ruby' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
