Puya chilensis
Chilean puya
An evergreen, clumping, perennial, with dense rosettes of lance-shaped, stiff, leathery mid-green leaves with coarse, marginal spines pointing in to the rosette. A mature rosette produces a stout flower stem, to 1.5m high, with yellow-green, bell-shaped flowers interspersed with bird perches, before it dies (monocarpic). Flowers are followed by green fruit containing winged seeds
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Puya are evergreen, terrestrial, perennial herbs with leathery, typically spiny, leaves forming dense rosettes. Native to Central and South America
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C Chile
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in terrestrial bromeliad compost in full light. Water moderately when in active growth in mid-spring to late summer and apply a low nitrogen fertiliser every 6-8 weeks. Plants will tolerate temperatures below 0°C for brief periods if acclimatised to cool winter conditions. In warm, sheltered gardens grow plants outdoors in a sunny spot in sharply draining soil and protect from winter wet
Propagation
Propagate by seed at 19-24°C as soon as ripe
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Gravel garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Sub-tropical
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
Susceptible to root rots in wet soils
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.