Aechmea lueddemanniana rubra

Elegant bromeliad with colourful mottled leaves and attractive, tall inflorescence, and ornamental white and purple fruits. Aechmea lueddemanniana is naturally distributed from So.Mexico to Costa Rica, where it can be seen both on trees and rocks. Leaf surface changes its colour according to light and temperatures, and it can range through shades of green, bronzy-roze and very dark purple. The erect inflorescence is 40-60 cm long spike, with blue flowers. The show lasts for months as it becomes an attractive infructescence with white berries turning purple.

It can grow outdoors in the warmer areas of the Mediterranean, while it should be protected from any snow or frost.