Aechmea fasciata
urn plant
An evergreen perennial forming a rosette of strap-shaped, grey leaves with a dense central head of small purple flowers with showy bright pink bracts, sometimes followed by spherical woolly white fruit
![](https://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselectorimages/detail/WSY0009662_4045.jpg)
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, AlkalineColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Grey Silver | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Pink Purple | Grey Silver | ||
Autumn | Grey Silver | White | ||
Winter | Grey Silver |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Aechmea are evergreen perennials forming funnel-shaped rosettes of strap-shaped leaves, with a terminal spike of tubular flowers often with colourful triangular bracts, followed by fleshy fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Brazil
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors as an epiphyte or in moist, gritty, humus-rich soil, in frost-free location. Under glass grow as an epiphyte or in epiphytic bromeliad compost in bright filtered light
Propagation
Propagate by offsets
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.