Aechmea lueddemanniana ‘Mend’ (P.)
 
Common Names Mend Bromeliad, Pink Variegated Lueddemanniana
 
Zones 9B–11
 
A striking albo-marginated cultivar of Aechmea lueddemanniana, ‘Mend’ features lime green leaves edged in creamy white that blush vivid pink-red in strong light. Developed in Florida and named for four pioneering growers—Merkle, Ensign, Nally, and Davis—it’s prized for its bold foliage, upright form, and adaptability to both landscape and greenhouse settings.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright rosette; slow clumper; epiphytic or terrestrial
Width: Up to 30 in (76 cm) across at maturity
Leaves: Lime green with creamy white margins; blushes pink-red in bright light; finely serrate edges
Flowers: Pink bracts with violet petals; tubular; emerge from central spike
Fruit: Small berries; ornamental; retained in inflorescence
Ecology: Leaf tanks support microfauna; attracts hummingbirds and pollinators
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Strong filtered light; tolerates some direct sun
Watering: Moderate; keep central tank filled and flush monthly
Soil: Well-draining mix; suitable for pots or epiphytic mounting
Temperature: Protect below 30°F (–1°C); cold-sensitive
Humidity: High humidity preferred
Propagation: Division of pups; asexual propagation prohibited under USPP (if applicable)
Tolerance: Heat, humidity; moderate sun tolerance
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical borders, specimen containers, and shaded patios. Pairs well with Aechmea ‘Loie’s Pride’, Neoregelia ‘Fireball’, and Vriesea ‘Pink Panther’.