Puya yakespala

RHS Plant Profile

yellow puya

Other common names

yellow desert bromeliad

Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial

An evergreen, perennial, bromeliad forming a rosette of spiny, narrow, greyish-green leaves with silvery-white undersides. In summer, club-like spikes of bright yellow flowers up to 2.4m tall may arise form the centre of mature leaf rosettes

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 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: 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: Argentina

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. In warm, sheltered gardens grow plants outdoors in a sunny spot in sharply draining soil and protect from winter wet. See bromeliad cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19-24°C as soon as ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

New growth may be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rots in wet soils