Aechmea gamosepala

matchstick plant
Easy, fast, and adaptable bromeliad. One of the best for cold or planting in the ground. The common name matchstick plant comes from the pastel pink and blue flowers resembling match heads.
Aechmea gamosepala
height 12–16in
width 12–24in
tolerates Cold, Cool Summers, Heat, Narrow Planting, Pots
water
needs		 Moderate
water
info		 While looking tropical, bromeliads are surprisingly drought tolerant and we think of watering them as other soft leaved succulents such as echeveria. One of our staff grows this plant outdoors in Oakland with mostly shade and a couple hours of late afternoon sun. He says they thrive with a once a month hand watering during summer, amazing for such a tropical plant!
hardy
to		 20F
exposure Full Shade – Part Shade
indoor
outdoor		 In or Out
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Orchid Bark, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing Acid 1/2 Strength, All Purpose 1/2 Strength
origin E South America
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 8, 9, 14–H2

Sunset Zones Map

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

This is one of the easiest and most cold hardy of our bromeliads, surviving chills down into the low twenties, though you can expect some damage to any poorly timed flower spikes.
Because they are usually growing in tight spots bromeliads nutrients typically come from decaying litter, making them appreciate a light acidic fertilizer, but all purpose seems to work just fine as well.
Avoid planting under trees or other plants that shed a lot, as the litter will collect in the rosettes, which looks messy and also smothers the bromeliad. Removing the leaves can damage your bromeliads.
Each rosette will bloom once. Afterward you can cut the flower spike low in the rosette, which will persist for months or longer. Eventually that head will brown and die off, at which time it should be removed to keep your plant looking tidy and make space for new rosettes to grow.
If planted in Sunset Zones 8 and 9 be sure this plant is grown in full shade, as it won’t thrive in with sun in the low humidity of these zones.