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Queen of the Aechmeas Aechmea chantinii

Previously known as:

  • Billbergia chantinii
  • Platyaechmea chantinii
Phonetic Spelling
ik-MAY-ah shan-TEE-nee-eye
Description

The Amazonian zebra plant is tropical evergreen herbaceous perennial that is a member of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae) and is native to Tropical South America. In its native habitat, the plant is an epiphyte and attaches itself and climbs over tree trunks and limbs. The Amazonian zebra plant is popular as an ornamental houseplant because of its attractive foliage and flowers.​​​​​​ The species epithet honors the horticulturist "Mr. Chantin, 23, avenue de Châtillon, in Paris," about whom nothing else is known.

The plant thrives in bright, indirect light and moist, fasting-draining potting mix. This species has an unusual trait of being able to store water in a "central tank" or "central cup." The plant takes in water through the center of the rosette and is able to store water so that it can survive through dry periods. The central cup does not need to be completely filled with water except in the presence of bright light and high temperatures. The tank will need to be emptied and rinsed out at least once a month to help prevent insect pests. Distilled water or rainwater is suggested to prevent the build-up of salts that can damage the plant. Water the plant when the top 2 inches of the soil are dry or check the center of the rosette. The plant prefers temperatures between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity. It is not frost-tolerant and will need to be overwintered indoors. This plant blooms only once and then dies, but before it dies, it produces one or more offsets ("pups") from the base of the plant. When these offsets are approximately one-third the size of the adult, they can be removed and potted up as new plants.  

The Amazonian zebra plant grows 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It has an upright vase-shaped habit, and the leaves form a rosette. The leaves are stiff, strap-like, elliptical, leathery, deep green with light yellow vertical stripes and silver horizontal bands. The leaf margins have many small spines. The flower arises from the center of the rosette on a tall red stalk with red bracts, and the bloom has clusters of long-lasting, showy, tubular yellow and red flowers. 

For interesting and colorful foliage, bright flowers, and a tropical vibe, consider adding the Amazonian zebra plant to your houseplant collection. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Overwatering can cause root rot.

More information on Aechmea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Black'
    dark chocolate brown leaves with heavy silver banding, red-orange bracts
  • 'De Leon'
    smaller plant, tighter rosette, green leaves that are heavily frosted with white banding
  • 'Ebony'
    black leaves with silver banding
  • 'Rebecca'
    green leaves with white frosted horizontal banding
  • 'Samurai'
    variegated foliage, green with silver banding and a wide creamy white band in the center of the leaf, orange and yellow blooms
  • 'Shogun'
    inner leaf is green with horizontal silver banding and outer leaf edges are white to yellow
'Black', 'De Leon', 'Ebony', 'Rebecca', 'Samurai', 'Shogun'
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#showy leaves#pet friendly#hanging baskets#tropical herbaceous perennial#summer flowers#acidic soils tolerant#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio#epiphyte
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Black'
    dark chocolate brown leaves with heavy silver banding, red-orange bracts
  • 'De Leon'
    smaller plant, tighter rosette, green leaves that are heavily frosted with white banding
  • 'Ebony'
    black leaves with silver banding
  • 'Rebecca'
    green leaves with white frosted horizontal banding
  • 'Samurai'
    variegated foliage, green with silver banding and a wide creamy white band in the center of the leaf, orange and yellow blooms
  • 'Shogun'
    inner leaf is green with horizontal silver banding and outer leaf edges are white to yellow
'Black', 'De Leon', 'Ebony', 'Rebecca', 'Samurai', 'Shogun'
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#showy leaves#pet friendly#hanging baskets#tropical herbaceous perennial#summer flowers#acidic soils tolerant#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio#epiphyte
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aechmea
    Species:
    chantinii
    Family:
    Bromeliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Tropical America
    Distribution:
    Native to Brazil North, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are small red berries and are less than 1-inch in length and width. Fruits are rarely produced.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flower arises from the center of the rosette on a tall red stalk with red bracts, and the bloom has clusters or panicles of long-lasting, showy, tubular yellow and red flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are stiff, strap-like, elliptical, leathery, deep green with light yellow vertical stripes and silver horizontal bands, and the margins have many small spines. About 12 leaves form the rosette. Each leaf measures 1 foot long and 2 inches wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stemless
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity