Dykia ‘Nude Lady’

Dykia 'Nude Lady'

Bromeliaceae

Likely a cross, but this plants parents' originate from Brazil

1 gallon

1'

1-2'

15 to 20°F, -9.4 to -6.7°C

High heat tolerance

Full sun along the coast, to light dappled shade in hot inland climates

Very drought tolerant but needs more water during the growing season

Remove spend flower spikes. If desired, large clusters can be carefully divided, making sure to retain roots with each part.

A great plant for dry beds and borders. Perfect in succulent, cactus and rock gardens and also a nice contrast to low-flowing grasses. With its recurved leaves it makes a pretty container or large hanging basket plant. However, although leaf margins are unarmed, the tips are strong and spined and it is not good for areas with pedestrian traffic. In fact, mature colonies can be used as a low barrier planting. This dyckia also looks striking under tree aloes and tree yuccas, echoing their form on the ground plane. Unlike many terrestrial bromeliads, dyckias have strong root systems and can be used on embankments and hillsides.

Seeds can be collected from pods after flowering and germinated. Colonies can be divided and replanted.

This plant may be damaged by rabbits and deer as it does not have protective teeth on the leaf margins like many other dyckia. Needs well-draining soils.

The Dykia 'Nude Lady' is an attractive terrestrial bromeliad that has bright green untoothed leaves (hence the cultivar name). It forms clusters of one foot rosettes of recurved leaves. It is likely a cross of D. encholirioides and D. brevifolia. Plants grown in brighter light bloom in spring with pretty orange flowers carried on delicate wand-like stems. Flowers attract nectar-loving birds and insects. Since it needs some shade in hot inland areas it makes a nice tall ground cover under open light-filtering trees.