How to care for an Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)
Learn how to care for your Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)! Brighten up any room with its beautiful flower. This plant is easy to maintain and non-toxic to pets or children, so you don't have to worry about their safety. Get tips on sunlight, water, fertilizer, humidity & pests here!
The Aechmea fasciata, also known as the urn plant or Silver vase plant, is a stunning tropical houseplant from the Bromeliads family. It has patterned leaves with a bright-colored flower and an almost sculptural form. This colorful plant from southeastern brazil might look a lot like a Sansevieria, but it isn't related to it and needs different care to thrive in your house.
In this plant care guide, we'll look a little closer at how we can take care of this unusual-looking plant. I will help you learn how to take care of an urn plant if you already have one or are thinking of getting one. By following the simple steps in this plant care guide, you help your urn plant stays happy and healthy in your house!
These are the topics we're going to look at when it comes to taking care of the Urn plant:
- How often should you water an Urn plant?
- How much sunlight does an Urn plant need?
- What is the ideal temperature range for growing an Urn plant?
- How much humidity does an Urn plant need to thrive?
- When and how often should you fertilize your Urn plant?
- What is the best soil for growing an Urn plant?
- How can I help an Urn plant to grow its flower?
- Do you need to prune an Urn plant?
- How do you propagate an Urn plant?
- How often should you repot an Urn plant?
- Should I place my Urn plant indoors or outdoors?
- Seasonal care for an Urn Plant
- Signs of a healthy Urn Plant
- Troubleshooting common problems
- What should I do if my Urn plant's leaves turn brown?
- Why is my Urn plant not flowering?
- What can I do if my Urn plant is getting too leggy?
- What are some common pests that affect an Urn plant?
- Is an Urn plant toxic to cats and dogs?
- What plants grow well with an Urn plant?
- How long can I expect my Urn plant to live?
- Conclusion
Let's dive right into it and help your Urn plant thrive in your house!
How often should you water an Urn plant?
In the introduction, we found out that this plant grows in southeastern Brazil, more specifically, in the rainforest. This natural habitat tells us a little bit about what type of water this Bromeliad prefers.
Like many tropical plants, the Urn plant prefers to be growing in moist, but not soggy soil. On average, you should water this plant once every 7-10 days, but always make sure to check if the top 2cm (1 inch) of the soil is dry to the touch before you water it.
This plant is quite sensitive to overwatering, so it's best to check the soil before you water it. Some plants prefer to be watered a little bit every day or so, but the Urn plant does better when you water it thoroughly once per week or so.
How do you water the Urn plant?
The Urn plant has another nickname, the Silver Vase plant. It has this nickname because the plant is shaped like a vase. This is not by accident, as it uses its shape to capture rainwater and water itself from this "vase".
So what does that mean for watering this plant? It means that you should let the plant do most of the watering for you and add water to the "vase" of the plant, rather than only to the soil. The plant will absorb the moisture from the center vase and from the soil at the same time.
You can use tap water for watering this plant, but only if that water is also safe to drink. If not, you will have to use filtered or distilled water to water your Urn plant.
Replace the water from the "vase" every 2 weeks to make sure it doesn't develop any rotting in the center of the plant. In the winter, it's best to not add any water to the vase at all and only water your plant by adding moisture directly to the soil.
How much sunlight does an Urn plant need?
As we've discovered, the Urn plant naturally grows in the rainforests of Brazil. It's not a very tall plant, so it often grows under tall trees where it only gets filtered sunlight. To help it get this same type of sunlight in your house, make sure you place your Urn plant in a spot that gets medium to bright, indirect sunlight.
This spot gives your plant enough energy to grow, but won't expose it to any direct sunlight. When your Urn plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight, its leaves will be scorched. If this happens to your plant, move it away from the window and make sure you don't expose it to direct sunlight anymore.
What is the ideal temperature range for growing an Urn plant?
Many houseplants are called "houseplants" because they thrive in the environment that most houses offer your plant. The Urn plant thrives in temperatures ranging from 18 degrees Celsius (65 F) to 24 Celsius (75 F), which is a normal temperature for most houses.
You likely won't have to change anything in your house to make it a great place to grow your Urn Plant. Just keep it away from drafts and extreme changes in temperatures, as this could shock your Urn plant. In extreme cases, this can kill your houseplant.
How much humidity does an Urn plant need to thrive?
The Urn plant is a tropical plant, so it prefers higher levels of humidity than most other houseplants. A good rule of thumb is that your Urn plant should get between 40-50% humidity in its environment.
If your Urn plant gets too little humidity, it can cause the leaves to dry up and become brittle. Anything above this range can be too much for the plant to handle and can often lead to root rot because the soil is too humid.
If the humidity in your living space is too low, you can increase it to help your Urn plant thrive. You can increase it by misting it directly with water every few days, placing your plant on a pebble tray, or using a humidifier.
It's also important to make sure your Urn Plant gets enough air circulation so it doesn't get too stagnant and stuffy. Make sure to keep them away from radiators or vents, as these can create an overly dry environment for your plant.
How can I create humidity for my Urn plant if I live in a dry area?
Creating a humid environment doesn't have to be a chore! You can group your Urn plant with other plants to create a microclimate. Alternatively, placing a humidifier nearby works wonders. If you don't have one, try misting the leaves with water or putting the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Just make sure the bottom of the pot isn't sitting in the water, which can lead to root rot.
For more ideas on how to increase humidity, check out 10 ways to raise the humidity in your house!
When and how often should you fertilize your Urn plant?
You've already learned a lot about giving your Urn plant the optimal environment to grow in your house, but we're still missing one key part of this: fertilizer.
To help your Urn plant grow, you'll need to fertilize it once per month with a diluted liquid fertilizer in the spring and summer. During the fall and winter, you shouldn't fertilize your Urn plant, because it won't grow as much and won't use the fertilizer.
If your plant doesn't use the fertilizer you provide it with, it'll stay behind in the pot and could cause chemical burns on your plant's roots over time. This could kill your plant, unfortunately. This is why you should only fertilize your Urn plant in the spring and summer.
The best kind of fertilizer for an Urn plant is one that is specially formulated for bromeliads or epiphytes. Such fertilizers typically contain lower levels of nitrogen than traditional houseplant fertilizers, as too much nitrogen can damage the leaves of these plants. However, you can still use a balanced liquid fertilizer to help your plant grow.
When you're fertilizing your Urn Plant, make sure it is evenly distributed around the entire base of the pot but not in direct contact with any leaves or flowers on the plant. It's also important to water your plant a little before applying fertilizer if the soil is dry because this will help the nutrients be absorbed more quickly.
What is the best soil for growing an Urn plant?
The best soil for growing an Urn plant is a well-draining potting mix. The well-draining potting mix helps to prevent overwatering your Urn plant and drains the excess moisture to the bottom of the pot quickly. Ideally, your pot has a drainage hole, so the excess water can't cause any root rot.
A great mix for potting soil for an Urn plant is 1/2 potting soil, 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 orchid bark. This mixture holds onto enough moisture for your Urn plant to thrive, but also drains any excess moisture quickly.
The potting soil holds onto the moisture for several days, which helps to water your plant. The perlite and bark add structure to the mixture, which is very important for plants that prefer to grow in moist soil. The perlite and bark also make the potting mix drain excess moisture more quickly.
Potting mix with a good structure is important because the soil will want to compact over time. This prevents oxygen from reaching your plant's roots and prevents excess moisture from draining to the bottom of the pot. The structure keeps the soil light and airy.
How can I help an Urn plant to grow its flower?
The Urn plant is known for its beautiful flower, so it's normal to want to help your plant grow its flower. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help the process along.
First, make sure you meet the ideal temperature range for growing an Urn Plant. As we've already discovered, this should be between 18 degrees Celsius (65 F) and 24 Celsius (75 F).
Next, make sure your Urn plant is getting enough sunlight. It prefers indirect sunlight, so place it in a spot that gets medium to bright, indirect light.
Finally, make sure to regularly fertilize your Urn plant during the growing season. This will help your plant grow its flower and stay healthy during it.
Do you need to prune an Urn plant?
The Urn plant grows a bright and colorful flower that stays bright and colorful for many months at a time. When the flower starts to turn brown, it has died and you can deadhead or prune this flower. This pruning doesn't just make your plant look better, it also helps to preserve its energy.
When the flower has died, it's time for your Urn plant to grow pups. In the next section, we'll look at how you can propagate these pups and grow them into new plants. To help the plant grow these pups, you'll want to prune the dead flower. By pruning the dead flower, the plant can use the excess energy and nutrients to grow these pups.
When pruning your Urn Plant, use sharp pruning shears or a knife to carefully remove any yellowed or dead leaves and the flower. This will help keep the plant looking neat and encourage new growth.
It's important to note that frequent pruning or deadheading can sometimes cause stress for your Urn Plant and should only be done if there is no other way to keep your plant healthy.
After your Urn plant has grown its flower and it has died, it's time to propagate the baby plants. Let's look at how we can do that!
How do you propagate an Urn plant?
After the parent plant's flower has died, it will refocus its energy on growing the pups. Eventually, the parent plant will die. This is why you should propagate the baby plants and grow new plants.
When your Urn plant has started growing baby plants, you should wait until they're large enough to cut off. You can cut them off when they're at least 12cm (5 inches) long.
Once you've cut off the pup, make sure to remove any dead leaves. Then, put the pup into a slightly larger container using a mixture of 1/2 soil and 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 orchid bark. This will help keep your Urn plant's new roots aerated so it can grow strong.
Finally, water the newly potted plant regularly and provide it with medium, indirect sunlight. In a few weeks, the first new roots should start growing and you've successfully propagated your Urn plant.
How often should you repot an Urn plant?
An Urn plant, like most other houseplants, needs a pot that's slightly bigger than its root ball. In the first year or two after propagating a pup, you should regularly repot your plant to give it enough space to grow.
On average, you should repot your Urn plant once every two years or whenever it has outgrown its current pot. When repotting, be sure to use a slightly larger pot with good drainage and use a fresh, well-draining potting mix. Additionally, try to disturb the roots only as much as needed when transferring the plant from its current pot into the new one.
What kind of pots work best for Urn plants?
When it comes to choosing the perfect pot for your Urn plant, choosing the right pot is important for keeping it healthy for many years. The right pot doesn't just look nice, but actually helps to create the right environment for your plant to grow. Let's explore what to look for when picking the ideal home for your Urn plant!
For Urn plants, the best pots are pots that provide drainage and some aeration as well. Terracotta pots are the best types of pots you can find that have these qualities, as they allow moisture to evaporate through their porous material. This helps to reduce the risk of overwatering.
Look for pots that have drainage holes at the bottom to help prevent root rot. The size of the pot is also important. Choose one that gives your plant just enough room to grow without being so large that it holds onto too much moisture. Besides the functional use of a terracotta pot, choosing a pot with a classic, understated design can really enhance your home's decor without overshadowing your lovely Urn plant!
Should I place my Urn plant indoors or outdoors?
Urn plants are pretty versatile! Deciding whether to place your Urn plant indoors or outdoors depends on where you live and how much sunlight you can give your Aechmea Fasciata.
Indoors
Urn plants thrive near bright, indirect sunlight: a spot near a window that filters direct sunlight is ideal. This indoor environment allows you to control the growing environment, like the levels humidity and temperature. This is the best spot for your plant if you live in an area that has rapidly changing weather conditions. Plants, especially this plant, need a stable growing environment.
Outdoors
An Urn plant can grow well in a warm, sheltered spot with partial shade. If you live in an area that has mild temperatures and you have a well-draining garden bed or patio, you can grow your Aechmea fasciata outdoors and expect to see nice growth during the warmer months of the year. Just be mindful about putting it in a spot with direct sunlight for too long as this might scorch the leaves.
Seasonal care for an Urn Plant
When the seasons change, you'll need to adjust your plant care routine to best take care of your plants. Just like us, plants go through changes as the weather shifts, and your Urn plant needs different care to thrive throughout the year. The biggest changes in the care routine are watering, sunlight exposure, and fertilizing. Let's see what you'll need to change in which season to help your bromeliad grow best.
Care in the spring and summer
When the days are longer and temperatures are warmer, your Urn plant is in its active growth phase. This is the time to increase your watering frequency, as the plant will need more moisture to support new growth. You should also start to fertilize every few weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer to give your plant the nutrients it needs to support its growth. Plenty of indirect light is also very important during these months, so placing your plant in a bright spot with filtered sunlight will help it grow.
Care in the fall and winter
In the fall, your Urn plant will become dormant. In these cooler months, you should reduce your watering frequency, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. It's also a good idea to stop the fertilizing, as the plant needs fewer nutrients during its dormant phase. If you're bringing your Urn plant indoors, make sure it's right next to a light source while staying away from cold drafts or direct heat sources, which can cause stress.
You may also want to increase humidity levels around the plant, especially if your home is heated and dry. Misting the leaves occasionally or placing a small humidifier nearby can help keep the air moist.
Signs of a healthy Urn Plant
Caring for your Urn plant is such a fun experience, but how do you know if you're doing it right? You look for the signs of a healthy plant! But what does that look like? Let's explore the signs that show your Urn plant is happy and healthy, so you can take care of it with the confidence you're doing everything right!
What does a healthy Urn plant look like?
A healthy Urn plant is a truly sight to behold! It has lush, vibrant green leaves that are thick and glossy. The foliage should be full and evenly spaced, giving the plant a dense appearance rather than being leggy. When you look closely, the stems should feel sturdy, supporting the leaves without any drooping. A thriving Urn plant often has leaves that are free from discoloration or blemishes, showing off that it's getting the right amount of water and light while being protected from pests.
Besides the vibrant colors, a healthy Urn plant often shows signs of new growth, such as fresh leaves or even budding flowers, while it's in the growing season. The soil should also look slightly moist but never soggy.
If you see all of these signs on your Aechmea fasciata, you know you're doing a great job and should keep doing what you do!
What are the signs of stress or illness in an Urn plant?
When your Urn plant is stressed or suffering from pests or diseases, it will usually show several warning signs that you should be on the lookout for. One of the most common indicators is yellowing leaves. If you notice the leaves turning yellow, it could be a sign of overwatering, poor drainage, or insufficient nutrients. You might also see browning or crispy leaf tips, which often points to underwatering or too much direct sunlight.
Another clear sign of stress is wilting or droopy leaves. While this can happen from a lack of water, it can also mean your plant is dealing with root rot from overwatering. Also, if you see strange growth patterns, like leggy stems that are stretching toward light sources or thin, bare foliage, this might mean it's not getting enough light. Lastly, keep an eye out for pests such as aphids or spider mites: sticky residue on the leaves or tiny webs can indicate an infestation.
Troubleshooting common problems
Every plant parent faces challenges along the way, and your unfortunately, Aechmea fasciata is not immune to problems either. Knowing how to troubleshoot common issues can make all the difference in maintaining this beautiful plant. From wilting leaves to discoloration, identifying the signs of stress or illness is important to catch problems early on and to help your plant recover quickly.
The most important part here is understanding the real causes of these problems. If you know what the problem is, you can take steps to correct them and help your plant recover. In this section, I'll highlight some of the most asked questions you as readers have asked me.
What should I do if my Urn plant's leaves turn brown?
Brown leaves can be a sign of a few different problems. The most likely problems are either underwatering or getting too much sunlight.
First, check the soil moisture. If the soil feels dry to the touch a few inches down, your plant may be thirsty. Give it a thorough watering, and make sure the excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot.
Moving forward, I highly recommend to check the moisture in the soil every few days to make sure it's never too dry.
On the other hand, if your Urn plant is experiencing browning on the tips or edges of the leaves, it may be receiving too much direct sunlight, leading to sunburned leaves. In this case, try moving your plant to a spot where it gets bright, indirect light instead.
Also, keep an eye out for other potential stressors, like low humidity or sudden temperature changes.
If these changes don't improve the situation after 2-4 weeks, inspect your plant for any signs of pest infestations, as these pests can also damage your plant's leaves.
Why is my Urn plant not flowering?
If your Urn plant isn't flowering, there could be a few things that might be a few causes. One of the main reasons might be too little light. Urn plants generally thrive in bright, indirect light, and without this, they may struggle to produce flowers. Try moving your plant to a brighter spot and you'll likely see new growth quite quickly.
Another potential cause could be a lack of nutrients. If you haven't been fertilizing your Aechmea fasciata regularly, it may not have the necessary nutrients to support flowering. During the growing season (spring and summer), consider using a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks to provide the nutrients your plant needs.
If you've also been fertilizing your plant regularly, perhaps your plant is dealing with stress from inconsistent watering or temperature changes. Make sure you're maintaining a consistent watering schedule and keeping the plant in a stable environment.
What can I do if my Urn plant is getting too leggy?
If your Urn plant is becoming too leggy, it usually means it's stretching toward a light source. This means that it's not getting enough light for healthy, robust growth. To deal with this problem, try moving your plant to a brighter area where it can receive plenty of indirect sunlight. Avoiding direct sunlight is important, as too much can scorch its leaves. A nice spot close to a window with filtered light is ideal for bushier, healthy growth.
Leggy growth won't become bushy again, so it's not a bad idea to prune back the leggy stems to encourage a fuller shape. Use clean, sharp scissors, and trim the longer stems back. This helps the plant to focus its energy on producing new growth rather than stretching out.
What are some common pests that affect an Urn plant?
Urn plants are tough plants and luckily aren't very susceptible to pests. However, there is always a chance that a pest finds your Urn plant and decides to stay around. Common pests that can affect an Urn Plant include mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scale.
Mealybugs are small white insects that are often in clusters around the plant's stem and leaves. They can cause yellowing of the leaves and can also attract ants and other pests. To get rid of mealybugs, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to target these pests directly.
Aphids are tiny green insects that feed on the sap from the leaves of your Urn Plant. These pests can cause young leaves to curl up and discolor, as well as stunt new growth. To get rid of aphids, you can wipe them off with a damp cloth or spray them with a diluted solution of water and liquid dish soap every two weeks until they're gone.
Spider mites are very tiny spiders (less than 0.3mm in size) that spin webs between the stems of your Urn Plant and feed on its sap. These pests can cause yellow spots on the plant's leaves, premature leaf drop, wilting, and overall discoloration of foliage. To get rid of spider mites, try spraying them down with a strong jet of water or using an insecticidal soap specifically designed for this type of pest control.
Scale is another common pest for Urn Plants, which appear as tiny yellowish or brownish bumps on the plant's stems and leaves. These pests feed on the plant juices and excrete sticky honeydew onto its foliage which can lead to sooty mold if not dealt with quickly. To get rid of scale, you can spray it directly with insecticidal soap and repeat this every few days.
Is an Urn plant toxic to cats and dogs?
The Urn plant is not poisonous to either pets or humans. This makes it a great choice for a houseplant to get if you have curious kids or pets!
What plants grow well with an Urn plant?
Companion plants is one of my favorite topic when it comes to taking care of plants! Finding a few plants that have the same plant care requirements and make each other look better, what's not to love?!
In this section, we'll look at a few plants that grow well alongside aechmea fasciata!
One great companion option is the Peace Lily. It's known for its stunning white blooms and lush green foliage, and it complements the Urn plant beautifully while benefiting from similar light and humidity levels. Both plants like indirect sunlight and enjoy a humid environment, making them perfect neighbors in a cozy indoor setting.
Another great choice are Ferns, like the Boston Fern or Maidenhair Fern. These plants not only make each other looks great, but their delicate, feathery leaves but also help increase humidity around your Urn plant. Also, if your Urn plant is outdoors, you might consider pairing it with Coleus or Caladium, which give you vibrant colors and they thrive in similar light conditions.
Are there any plants I should avoid putting next to my Urn plant?
When you pick companion plants, there are plants that benefit your urn plant, but also a few that really don't grow well alongside it. In this section, I'll highlight a few plants you'll want to avoid placing near your Aechmea fasciata!
Cacti and succulents are among the top contenders to keep away from your Urn plant. These plants have very different water needs and thrive in dry, sunny, and warm conditions, which doesn't align with your aechmea's preferences at all. Placing them together may lead to root rot for your cacti or succulents or dehydration for the urn plant.
It's also best to avoid highly aggressive or fast-growing plants, such as **mint or bamboo**, which can easily out-compete your Urn plant for nutrients and water. These plants tend to spread quickly and can overshadow or choke out your Urn plant. Lastly, be careful with plants that have a heavy pest presence, like some flowering plants; you wouldn't want your Urn plant to be the target of pests that could spread throughout your indoor garden.
How long can I expect my Urn plant to live?
If everything goes well, you can expect your Urn plant to live for many years, often between 10 to 20 years, depending on its growing conditions. Because this plant lives for such a long time, it can even become a generational plant, handed down from parents to kids.
So how does your urn plant become this old? By giving it excellent care of course!
What can I do to extend the life of my Urn plant?
First, make sure that your plant has the right growing conditions. Your plant should have access to bright, indirect sunlight and grow in a stable temperatures. Regularly check the soil moisture to water the plant when it needs it and not too early of late.
Fertilization is also super important for your plant to grow old. During the growing season (spring and summer), use a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks to keep your plant well-fed.
Pruning is also a good idea. Periodically trim off any dead or yellowing leaves to promote airflow and encourage new growth.
Every few years, repot your Urn plant to refresh the soil and give the roots space to expand.
And last, but definitely not least, keep an eye out for pests or diseases, and address any issues quickly to prevent too much damage.
Conclusion
Caring for an Urn Plant is easy and fun! Make sure to give it medium, indirect sunlight each day, water it regularly, use fertilizer only during the growing season and prune any dead or dying leaves as needed. With proper care, your Aechmea fasciata will grow a beautiful flower in its urn-shaped center, brightening up any room. Plus you don't have to worry about pets getting hurt because this plant isn't toxic to cats or dogs.
Share this plant care guide with your friends and family so they can learn to take care of their Urn Plants too!
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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