Alcantarea extensa are large bromeliads that originate from Brazil.
They are very hardy plants and will tolerate full sun, cool nights and irregular water supply.
They grow equally well in garden beds or in containers on highly exposed apartment balconies.
Alcantareae extensa has light green strap-like leaves that are wide and corrugated with a smooth margin.
The leaf surface has a grey banding giving the leaves a silvery white appearance.
The plant takes up to 5 years to flower when it does, it produces a tall flower spike with racemes of golden yellow coloured flowers growing from each bract. The flowers spike can last for many months.
The lighter foliage makes a wonderful contrast to the darker green or red leaved bromeliads whether used in a pot or garden bed.