Ochagavia litoralis

RHS Plant Profile

calilla

Synonyms

Ochagavia lindleyana
Fascicularia pitcairniifolia (Verlot) Mez
Fascicularia litoralis

Conservatory Greenhouse

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A terrestrial bromeliad to 50cm tall, forming a rosette of narrow, grey-green leaves with sharp, curved teeth at the margins. In late summer mature plants may produce a spherical flowerhead from the centre centre of the rosette, composed of numerous densely packed pink flowers with orange anthers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Bromeliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Ochagavia are evergreen, terrestrial bromeliads with almost stemless, spreading rosettes of stiff, spiny-toothed leaves. The spherical inflorescence at the centre of the rosette is composed of tubular, red or yellow, flowers followed by green berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Chile

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in terrestrial bromeliad compost in full light with low humidity. In growth water moderately (avoiding the crown) and apply a half-strength, low-nitrogen fertiliser monthly. Outdoors in mild districts grow in sharply drained soil in full sun with protection from winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed as soon as ripe, or by separating offsets in spring and summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free