Puya

Puya are the oldest genus of Bromeliads and include almost 200 species including the largest Bromeliad on the planet, P. raimondii. Puya are generally native south of the equator in South America, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru and are often found in high elevations. Puya are in the family Pitcairnioidea along with Deuterocohnia, Dyckia, Hechtia and Pitcairnia.

Many Puya appear grass-like at a distance but all are armed with short spines along the leaf edges. Puya species range from small like P. mirabilis to positively huge but most fall in the intermediate range of 2-5' wide. The flowers are borne on huge spikes from just a few feet to several yards tall.

Plant your Puya in very well-drained gritty soil with a mixture of potting soil, bark, stones, perlite, sand or volcanic rock. Water moderately from spting to fall and keep fairly dry in the winter. Puya do best if grown outside with lots of sun and look great in a rock or cactus garden but can also be grown in containers or large hanging baskets. Most Puya are frost tolerant and hardiness varies from species to species so please read the descriptions before deciding which Puya is just right for you.