Deuterocohnia brevifolia

Scientific Name: Deuterocohnia brevifolia (Grisebach) M.A.Spencer & L.B.Smith
Synonym: Abromeitiella brevifolia, Abromeitiella chlorantha
Family: Bromeliaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 9b-10

Frost Tolerance: hardy to 28°F (-2°C)

Heat Tolerance: Light shade in summer in Phoenix

Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun

Origin: Northwestern Argentina, Bolivia

Growth Habits: Evergreen perennial ground cover, rosettes 1.2 to 2 inches in diameter (3 to 5 cm), forming a mound up to 3 feet in diameter; leaves with few marginal teeth (var. brevifolia) or many (var. chlorantha)

Watering Needs: Drought tolerant, but grows better with regular water

Propagation: Seeds, division

The genus Abromeitiella is named after the German botanist Johannes Abromeit. Deuterocohnia brevifolia are rosette-forming bromeliad that grow very slowly into tight mat or cushion shaped colonies. They look and grow like a small dyckia.
They are smaller than the related Deuterocohnia lorentziana. Some authorities recognize var. chlorantha. based on the size and many marginal bristle teeth.

Deuterocohnia brevifolia at the Huntington Gardens in the rain (HBG 18251)

Blooming Habits:
The flowers are green and come in early winter.

Culture:
They should be grown like succulents - in bright light and well-drained soil. While they are drought-tolerant, they do like water, especially during summer months.