Portea petropolitana elongata

Aechmea petropolitana, Portea glaziovii, Streptocalyx podantha

Portea Bromeliad

Bromeliaceae

This plant hails from Espirito Santo near the ocean in southeastern Brazil where it grow on rocks along the coast in sandy soils.

2-3’

2-3’

20 to 25°F, -6.7 to -3.9°C

High heat tolerance.

Partial to light shade along the coast to medium shade inland.

Average water needs, requires irrigation or regular water in warmer months. Avoid overwatering in cool, wet weather.

Remove spent flower spikes and divide clumps as desired.

This plant works well in a medium container or large hanging basket. It can also be grown in well-draining amended soils in partial shade. It needs protection from bright sun in hot inland climates and would work well under open trees bringing nice color when it blooms. It is a good plant for creating a tropical effect and can be grown in bright light indoors.

Portea petropolitana can be grown from seed and offsets can be removed from mature clumps to make additional plants.

Occasional problems with aphids, thrips, scale and mealybugs.

This is pretty and tough plant in the bromeliad family. Portea petropolitana is a vase shaped bromeliad with 2-3 foot long and 2-3 inch wide green to yellow-green leaves. The stiff leaf margins have sharp teeth so take care in handling the plant. Over time the plant will sucker to form clumps. P. petropolitana has a very impressive branched flower spike that can reach 5 to 6 feet. It begins to bloom in early summer with pinkish red stemmed branched racemes which have striking papery pink bracts and blueish violet flowers. These also make great long-lasting cut flowers. If left on the plants the flowers develop into pretty purple pink berries giving the plant a spectacular seven month display. Although P. petropolitana can withstand sub-freezing temperatures, the plant's leaves should be protected as they will show damage when exposed to frost. This bromeliad is typically grown in the ground or in containers filled with very aerated, porous, well-draining but moisture-retentive and organically rich soil.