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    • Photo of Puya venusta form by Peter Richardson

    Photo by Peter Richardson

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    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.

    By: The Desert Northwest

    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.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    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

    See other plant types of Puya for your garden

    Puya coerulea

    aka Silver Puya

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • low - drought tolerant
    Photo of Puya coerulea close-up, flower by pabloendemico
    View Plant

    Puya alpestris ssp. zoellneri

    aka Puya berteroniana, Blue Puya, Turquoise Puya

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bromeliad

    Zones

    8b-11

    Size

    Height: 3'-12'

    Width: 3'-15'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Puya alpestris ssp. zoellneri flower, form by Far Out Flora
    View Plant

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    Puya alpestris

    aka Puya whytea, Sapphire Tower

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent, Bromeliad

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'-5'

    Width: 4'-5'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Puya alpestris flower by Far Out Flora
    View Plant

    More Options

    Puya chilensis

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent, Bromeliad

    Zones

    7b-9b

    Size

    Height: 18"

    Width: 36"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Puya chilensis flower, form, mass-planting by plant lust
    View Plant

    More Options

    Puya laxa

    aka Hay Stack Puya

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent, Bromeliad

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 12"-24"

    Width: 24"-48"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Puya laxa foliage by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    +19 more Puya
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