Aechmea fasciata

The urn plant or silver vase plant is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial epiphyte native to the wet tropical areas of southeastern Brazil. This exotic plant is a popular houseplant and has strikingly large pink blooms and silvery foliage. It is a member of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). The species epithet, fasciata, describes leaves marked with transverse bands.

This plant prefers bright, indirect light to partial shade. For houseplants, it requires a consistently moist, well-drained potting medium such as an orchid mix. The rosette of leaves forms a central cup that can retain water. It is best to have a small amount (about 1 inch) of water in the central cup continuously. The water in the central cup needs to be removed and changed once a month to prevent water stagnation that can breed insect pests. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. The plant thrives in temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It blooms only once and then dies. Offsets or pups form at the base of the parent plant before the parent dies. These offsets can be transplanted to grow new plants. The offsets should be 6 inches tall before transplanting.

The plant grows 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide and forms a basal rosette that resembles an urn or vase. The rosette consists of stiff, broad, strap-shaped, deep green leaves with a silvery-green variegation. The margins of the leaf have black spines. When the plant matures between 3 to 5 years, a flower stalk emerges from the center of the rosette, and it will produce a large pink spike that consists of small purple flowers that are surrounded by pink bracts. 

The urn plant thrives indoors, and its showy blooms are long-lasting. The plant would be a beautiful addition to your home and would add a tropical flair. In warmer climates, they may be planted outdoors in mass plantings, as a groundcover, or in containers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for scale and mealybugs. Overwatering can cause root rot. Leaf spot and crown rot can also occur. Brown leaf tips can occur if the plant gets inadequate water or is exposed to cold temperatures. Insects can breed in the trapped water in the central cup if not emptied and rinsed regularly.

More information on Aechmea.