Photo of Puya coerulea close-up, flower by pabloendemico

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Buy Puya coerulea

Also Known As

  • Silver Puya

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 2'-3'
  • W: 2'-3'

planting zones

  • 9a-10b

2n | $5

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56 at Dry Oasis Plants

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Puya coerulea plant details

Puya coerulea is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue foliage. In spring black and purple flowers emerge. Features glaucous and grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Puya coerulea

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: bromeliaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: black and purple blooms in spring
Uses: container plant, rock garden, screen, spiky, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Puya coerulea

USDA Zones: 9a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A smaller Chilean species with strongly recurved, silvery leaves, which may produce tall spikes of blue and yellow flowers when the plant matures. Like all Puyas, it will appreciate a dry spot with superb drainage in very gritty soil. Hardy to 20 °F, possibly lower, once established if kept dry in winter.
Deep purple-blue, almost black flowers emerge from a rose colored stalk on this rare Chilean gem. Slow growing, but well worth the wait, the blooming spike will grow to 6’ or so when it appears in Spring. Before the blooming event, which can take YEARS, the plant will form one or several heads of shark-toothed silvered leaves. These are both attractive & menacing – not something you want to have to weed around often, so prepare your planting site accordingly, or get some tough gloves! Each rosette spans about 3’, but plants grown from seed, as these are, may vary a bit from plant to plant. Great in a large container & an imposing barrier plant. Well-draining soil is best.

Gardening facts about Puya coerulea plant

How to Grow Puya coerulea

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • low - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • purple
    • black
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous
    • grassy
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