Although the Queen Aechmea is one of the larger bromeliads, growing up to a metre across, it is certainly not the largest as some species can have a vegetative growth that is 3 to 4 metres tall. Large plants like this may be able to hold up to 5 gallons of water between their leaves. After heavy rains a branch that is heavily laden with bromeliads may break and fall to the ground under the combined weight of the plants and the water they hold.