{"product_id":"puya-chilensis","title":"Puya chilensis","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePuya chilensis\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eChilean Puya\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most dramatic architectural plants you can grow outdoors in the UK. A terrestrial bromeliad from the dry hillsides of central Chile, it forms a large rosette of arching, silvery, viciously hook-spined leaves, and in time sends up a towering spike of waxy chartreuse-green flowers that can reach well over a metre. This is a genuine statement plant for a hot, dry border, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003egravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e or a big pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardiness is where \u003cstrong\u003ePuya chilensis\u003c\/strong\u003e needs a little thought. It is borderline hardy, rated around RHS H3 (and likely H3 to H4 in a really favoured spot), but low temperatures are seldom what defeat it. Persistent winter wet and waterlogged soil are what rot the crown and roots of this bromeliad. Given sharp winter drainage in a hot, sheltered, sunny position, or grown in a large free-draining pot, it will shrug off short cold spells that would otherwise finish it in heavy, wet ground. For a fuller picture of how hardy exotics behave through the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in the hottest, most sheltered spot you have, such as a south or west-facing wall or a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal\u003c\/a\u003e, free-draining bank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e very free-draining loam or sand, opened up with grit; sharp drainage matters far more than fertility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a rosette to around 1 to 1.5 m across, with flower spikes to roughly 2 to 2.5 m when it blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e borderline (around RHS H3); keep it dry in winter and protect from prolonged hard frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eHandle it with real care: the leaves are armed with vicious recurved hooked spines along their edges that readily catch skin, clothing and animals, so site it away from paths and give it room. Slow-growing and eventually monocarpic, a mature rosette flowers once in a spectacular display before setting seed. Its bold silhouette and drought tolerance make it a natural partner for agaves and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e, and it is superb in a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003elarge container\u003c\/a\u003e that can be moved under cover for the wettest months. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e to build a full, sun-baked, low-water scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Puya we supply is nursery-grown and carefully selected for a healthy, well-rooted rosette, then packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57974388130175,"sku":"PUYACHIL9","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2171075557.jpg?v=1784326285","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/puya-chilensis","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}