Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Epiphyte
  
Herbs
  
Origin
South America
  
China, Japan, Korea
  
Types
Aechmea 'Albright Red', Aechmea 'Amazonense', Aechmea 'Amazonia'
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
tropical environments
  
gardens, Grassland, Homesteads, Open areas
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
  
5-9
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-1
  
9-4
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
  
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Rosette/Stemless
  
Clump-Forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Yellow, Red
  
Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Blue, White
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Chocolate, Silver
  
Green, Light Green, Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Chocolate, Silver
  
Green, Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Chocolate, Silver
  
Green, Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Chocolate, Silver
  
Not Available
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Spine-edged leaves
  
Round
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Growth Rate
Medium
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Poorly Drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
  
Early Spring, Late Winter
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Not Available
  
Wet Site
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Stem Cutting
  
Divison, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Keep ground moist, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged
  
Allow soil to be completely dry in between waterings, Keep ground moist, Needs 2-3 times watering per week, Over-head watering, Requires watering in the growing season
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Poorly Drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Pruning
Cut away fading foliage, Cut or pinch the stems, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Remove deadheads, Requires very little pruning, Shape and thin as needed
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, High-phosphorous fertilizers used, light feeding and water solubles, slow-release fertilizers
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
  
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Not Available
  
Wet Site
  
Flowers
Yes
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Not Available
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
Sometimes
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Hummingbirds
  
Not Available
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
no allergic reactions
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Insignificant
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
No Medicinal Use
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers
  
Whole plant
  
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
  
Not Available
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Tropical
  
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Water Gardens
  
Botanical Name
AECHMEA chantinii 'Black Chantinii'
  
PETASITES japonicus 'Variegatus'
  
Common Name
Aechmea, Black Aechmea, Black Chantinii Bromeliad
  
Giant Butterbur, Japanese Butterbur, Variegated Butterbur
  
In Hindi
Black Aechmea
Plant
  
variegated butterbur
  
In German
Schwarz Aechmea
Pflanze
  
bunte Pestwurz
  
In French
Noir Aechmea
Plante
  
pétasite panachée
  
In Spanish
negro de Aechmea
Planta
  
butterbur abigarrado
  
In Greek
μαύρο Αιχμέα
Φυτό
  
διαφοροποιημένα butterbur
  
In Portuguese
preto Aechmea
Plantar
  
butterbur variegada
  
In Polish
Czarny Aechmea
Roślina
  
barwny Lepiężnik
  
In Latin
niger Nidularium
planta
  
varius butterbur
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Vascular plant
  
Not Available
  
Class
Liliopsida
  
Not Available
  
Order
Poales
  
Asterales
  
Family
Bromeliaceae
  
Asteraceae
  
Genus
Aechmea
  
Petasites
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
  
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Senecioneae
  
Subfamily
Bromelioideae
  
Not Available