Portea petropolitana

Epiphytic species.

A native species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica). In the wild, it grows on rocks near the coast.

Leaves, gathered in a rosette, up to 1.2 m long, are stiff and have numerous black, hooked spines along the margins. A little water always remains in the center of the rosette. The inflorescence, slightly longer than the leaves, is large and branched with a red scape bearing numerous lavender-colored flowers.

It requires a very well-drained, predominantly mineral substrate with at least 70-80% aggregate. Place the plant in a shaded or partial shade location and water regularly during the summer, but let it dry out before rewatering in the winter.

Not hardy.

Bare-root plant.