Aechmea

These gorgeous Bromeliads are available in a wide range of colours: red, red-orange, pink and purple. If you speak Greek, you know immediately how they got their name. Their leaves look exactly like a lance-head (aechmea in Greek). Some species have unique markings on their leaves these make the plant even more decorative. You can’t take your eyes off them! Some Aechmeas have another surprise up their sleeve: berries that turn colour.

Aechmeas, which were brought to Europe early in the 19th century, can tolerate dry soil pretty well; pouring water into the calyx (funnel) a few times a week is enough. Most of the species you can buy now have their origins along the Amazon in Brazil.

Scroll through the examples here to see even more examples of Aechmea