Growing and Caring for Urn Plant Indoors

I'm a stickler for anything out of the norm. So, of course, when I first came across the vase-shaped urn plant (Aechmea fasciata), I quickly became intrigued. Since its native to Brazil (South America, the urn plant thrives in similar climates and growing conditions. For this reason, it is typically grown in the home rather than the outside garden, though the plant may spend summers outdoors.

Urn plants are epiphytic bromeliads, which grow in trees in their native habitats. In the home, however, you'll find these exotic-looking wonders growing in pots filled with well-draining orchid potting soil or either a specially formulated bromeliad or cactus mix.

The striking foliage will instantly add interest wherever you place it. Urn plants consist of a waxy, vase-shaped rosette of silvery-green leaves. There are also variegated types to choose from with white or cream striped leaves or even maroon foliage. Even nicer is the plant's unusual flower, which usually blooms once the plant matures, at about three to four years. This may even be somewhat sooner if the conditions are just right, but will take even longer if grown from seeds. The long-lasting bloom is made up of small blue flowers (that eventually turn reddish in color) on large pink bracts.

Caring for your urn plant is fairly easy. Keep the 'cup' filled with water throughout summer and replenish with fresh water every week. You can also lightly moisten the soil but take care not to get the plant too wet. An occasional misting is also ok, especially if the air in your home remains relatively dry. Average indoor temps between 65 and 75 degrees F. are adequate as well, or take it outdoors for the summer. If you're looking for blooms, make sure to situate the urn plant is a bright location, such as near a sunny window.

Blooming can take place anywhere from late summer to early winter. You can also try to induce flowering with ethylene gas. Empty the rosette's cup of any water and put the plant in a clear plastic bag with an apple, which produces the ethylene gas. Allow the plant to remain this way for about a week and within a month or two, blooming should occur. You may also want to keep the urn plant fertilized each monthly (or bi-monthly) with a water-soluble plant food at half strength. This can be applied directly to the soil or added to the water-filled cup.

Once blooming has taken place, which may last several months, the rosette will begin to die down. As it does, the urn plant will form two to three pups around the base. These pups can actually be removed and repotted once they're at least 4-6 months old or half the size of the mother plant. Repotting usually take place in spring.

Resources: personal experience