Carol Cloud Bailey
Family
Bromeliaceae
Botanical Name
AECHMEA fasciata
Plant Common Name
Aechmea , Bromeliad, Urn Plant, Vase Plant
General Description
Urn plant is a tree-dwelling tropical bromeliad native to Brazil. In its native habitat it lives under the rain forest canopy where it clings to tree branches and trunks. Plant enthusiasts grow it for its ornamental leaves and long-lasting pink blooms.
The huge, lance-shaped leaves of this Aechmea are gray green and silver with subtle horizontal stripes and spiny edges. They are bowed and often curve downward as they lengthen. Each plant produces one very long-lasting flower spike borne from a thick, central stem. Tiny flowers arise from a spike comprised of showy pink outer bracts which surround tubular blue blooms. After the plant flowers it dies, but not before creating young plants, or pups, at its base. The pups will grow to replace the dying mother plant.
Urn plant is often cultivated as a houseplant and requires bright filtered light. Avoid growing it in direct sun. Pot-grown specimens require well-drained potting media. As with all true tree-dwellers, it should be watered in the central vase of the rosette regularly. In fact, the rosette should always be filled with clean, non-chlorinated water. This bromeliad makes an interesting low-maintenance houseplant or specimen for conservatories or atriums. In warm, frost-free climates it can be attached to a tree branch, placed in a shady rockery, or planted in a container. Keep copper containers, wires or horticultural sprays that contain copper away from bromeliads as copper is deadly to these plants.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 15
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Epiphyte
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
-
Height
16"-30" / 40.6cm - 76.2cm (24)
-
Width
12"-30" / 30.5cm - 76.2cm (24)
-
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
-
Native To
Brazil
Growing Conditions
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Sand
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
-
Habit
Rosette/Stemless
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Blue, Pink, Rose
-
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
White
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
-
Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Striped/Striated
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
-
Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Striped/Striated
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
-
Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Striped/Striated
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
-
Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Striped/Striated
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Coarse
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Container, Groundcover, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
-
Invasive
No
-
Self-Sowing
No
