Alcantarea odorata
 
Common Names Fragrant Alcantarea, Odorata Bromeliad
 
Zones 9A–11
 
A stately terrestrial bromeliad native to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, Alcantarea odorata is prized for its silvery foliage and fragrant yellow flowers. More slender than A. imperialis, it forms a broad rosette with pale green leaves banded in silver, maturing to a bluish-silver tone. The towering inflorescence can reach 5–8 feet and emits a light floral scent, rare among bromeliads.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright rosette; solitary; terrestrial lithophyte
Size: 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) tall; 4–6 ft (122–183 cm) wide; inflorescence to 8 ft (244 cm) tall
Leaves: Slender, arching; pale green with silver banding; spineless; mature to bluish-silver
Flowers: Fragrant pale yellow blooms on tall red spike; late spring to midsummer bloom
Fruit: Inconspicuous; retained in inflorescence
Ecology: Tank supports amphibians and aquatic insects; attracts birds, bees, and butterflies
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to part shade; best color in bright light
Watering: Moderate; water inside rosette monthly; mist in dry conditions
Soil: Free-draining mix; suitable for rocky or sandy substrates
Temperature: Protect below 30°F (–1°C); frost-free position essential
Humidity: High humidity preferred
Propagation: By offsets (pups) after flowering
Tolerance: High drought tolerance; salt spray resistant; humidity tolerant
 
Landscape Use Ideal for coastal gardens, specimen containers, and xeric tropical designs. Pairs well with Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’, Vriesea saundersii, and Neoregelia ‘Super Fireball’.