Photo of Puya venusta form by Peter Richardson

Photo by Peter Richardson

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Puya venusta

Also Known As

  • Pitcairnia sphaerocephala
  • Pitcairnia venusta
  • Puya guadichaudii

Plant type

bromeliad

size

  • H: 18"-48"
  • W: 8'-8'

planting zones

  • 8b-11

More Options

Puya venusta plant details

Puya venusta is a slow-growing semi-evergreen bromeliad with blue foliage. In spring and summer purple and red flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and occasional water. Prefers to be dry when dormant. Does well in gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Puya venusta

Plant type: bromeliad
Plant family: bromeliaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen blue
Mature size: 8 FT - 8 FT - wide, 18 IN - 48 IN - tall
Flowers: purple and red blooms in spring and summer
Uses: showy, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Puya venusta

USDA Zones: 8b - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

While some Puya species are armed with spines that can potentially shred ribbons of skin off one's hand, this one sports attractive, silvery grey leaves and less vicious spines than some. It will eventually form numerous offsets, each about 1' wide and very 'architectural' in shape, which spread into a broad, low mat; from which numerous flowers on conspicuous, nodding, red stalks eventually appear. Very easily grown on any gritty, well drained soil, it is reported to be hardy to about the low 20's °F, but it may go lower with overhead protection from the rain. Try it in a very sheltered xeric bed, or grow it in a pot! Chile.
The epitome of “ornamental statement” for the larger dry garden or cactus garden! This slow growing, stunning, terrestrial member of the Bromeliad family forms gorgeous, architectural, compact rosettes 40” tall (spreading to 5’ across) of serrated, silvery white “pineapple” leaves. In late Winter through early Summer, the knock-your-socks-off deep blue-purple blooms emerge from huge, red pine-cone like clusters atop red, stiff, upright stems to 3’ tall. Like all Bromeliads, it is a prolific suckerer & each sucker lasts for years before dying. Perfect companion plant for Aloes & Agaves. Can be grown in large containers & ½-barrels. Give it well drained, fertile soil for perfect presentation. Said to be hardy to 20° F.

Gardening facts about Puya venusta plant

How to Grow Puya venusta

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional
  • Water Needs

    • dry when dormant
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • red
    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • semi-evergreen
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