Originally from Rio de Janeiro, this stunning landscape and house plant was brought to Europe in 1826.
The plant is a classic vase shape, very pleasing to the eye, in broad leaves of dark green, with-silber white bands. Even without a flower this is a striking plant, but when it flowers, it is a showstopper.
The pyramidal flowerhead is raised about 15cm and has spiky, shocking-pink flower bracts and blue flower petals, a sumptuous combination.
It takes 4 years to flower and then the flower bracts will last for up to 6 months. After it flowers it grows a series of pups that can be propagated off the mother plants.
The mother plant will eventually die (yes :-() but you will be furnished with new babies to carry on with.
Brilliant as a potted plant, an epiphyte, or groundcover. We find ours thrive in a sunny position with a hint of shade.
To watch a really cool time-lapse of the flower click on the link below :-)
Due to seasonal changes the plant colouring and shape may slightly vary from the picture shown.