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Aechmea fasciata is often confused with:
Aechmea chantinii Erect inflorescence with showy red bracts.
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Lithops potted succulents with white many-petaled flowers.
Pilea microphylla Form/Leaves
Tulista pumila Leaves
Aechmea fasciata has some common insect problems:
Scale Insects Found on Flowers and Foliage
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage

Silver Vase Plant Aechmea fasciata

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Silver Vase Plant:

Previously known as:

  • Billbergia fasciata
  • Bromelia fasciata
  • Platyaechmea fasciiata
Phonetic Spelling
eek-MEE-uh fass-ee-AH-tuh
Description

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Primera'
    broad green leaves with silver gray horizontal markings, flower spike with pink bracts and small purple flowers
  • 'Purpurea'
    dark purple leaves with white banding, pink flowers
  • 'Variegated'
    bluish-green leaves with a centrally placed creme colored stripe, pink and blue flowers
'Primera', 'Purpurea', 'Variegated'
Tags:
#houseplant#drought tolerant#interesting flowers#slow growing#interesting leaves#mass planting#spines#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#vase-shaped#colorful bracts#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#epiphyte
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Primera'
    broad green leaves with silver gray horizontal markings, flower spike with pink bracts and small purple flowers
  • 'Purpurea'
    dark purple leaves with white banding, pink flowers
  • 'Variegated'
    bluish-green leaves with a centrally placed creme colored stripe, pink and blue flowers
'Primera', 'Purpurea', 'Variegated'
Tags:
#houseplant#drought tolerant#interesting flowers#slow growing#interesting leaves#mass planting#spines#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#vase-shaped#colorful bracts#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#epiphyte
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aechmea
    Species:
    fasciata
    Family:
    Bromeliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil
    Distribution:
    Native: Southeast Brazil. Introduced: Puerto Rico.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Open
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are small and purple and are surrounded by pink bracts. They bloom in the spring and are showy and long-lasting.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The plant forms a basal rosette of stiff, broad, strap-shaped leaves. The leaves are elliptic to oval and deep green with silvery-green variegations. The leaf margins have black teeth.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stemless
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought