James Burghardt
Family
Bromeliaceae
Botanical Name
AECHMEA chantinii 'Black Chantinii'
Plant Common Name
Aechmea, Black Aechmea, Black Chantinii Bromeliad
General Description
Bromeliad 'Black Chantinii' is a tender evergreen perennial grown primarily for its showy striped leaves and brightly hued bloom. It is a cultivar of an epiphytic species that grows in trees in the lowland Amazonian rain forest. The stiff, broadly strap-shaped, spine-edged leaves are dark maroon with broad horizontal bands of silver. The leaves are arranged in an upright rosette, with the leaf bases forming a water-holding "cup" at the rosette's center. In summer the rosette bears a tall, branched, central flower spike with a white-dusted red stalk topped by a branching cluster of yellow flowers interspersed with showy red bracts (modified petal-like leaves). White or blue fruits follow the flowers. The rosette dies back slowly after flowering, to be replaced by "pup" plants that sprout at its base.
This versatile large plant likes filtered or dappled sunlight and a humus-rich, sharply drained growing medium. Keep the central cup filled with water and mist the leaves regularly, especially in the heat and strong sunlight of summer. This large bromeliad makes an interesting greenhouse or tropical landscape plant, situated where its spines will cause no harm. It grows well attached to a tree or wedged between rocks. Keep copper wire or containers (and any sprays with copper in them) away from bromeliads, as copper is toxic to them.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Epiphyte
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
30"-36" / 76.2cm - 91.4cm
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Width
30"-48" / 76.2cm - 121.9cm
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Rosette/Stemless
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Red
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Fruit Color
White, Blue
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Chocolate, Silver
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Chocolate, Silver
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Chocolate, Silver
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Chocolate, Silver
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
