The attractive silver-grey, banded foliage of this easy-care bromeliad is a perfect background for the brilliant, springtime flower stalk which emerges from the tight center rosette of leaves. The flower stalk is composed of a cluster of rosy pink bracts in which nestle pale blue flowers that change to deep rose. It is the long-lasting pink bracts which are most noticeable.
Figure 1. Full form—Aechmea fasciata: silver vase. Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
Figure 2. Leaf—Aechmea fasciata: silver vase. Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
Figure 3. Flower—Aechmea fasciata: silver vase. Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Aechmea fasciata
Pronunciation: eek-MEE-uh fass-ee-AY-tuh
Common name(s): Silver Vase
Family: Bromeliaceae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Figure 4)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Uses: mass planting; container or above-ground planter; ground cover; suitable for growing indoors
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Figure 4. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Description
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: vase shaped
Plant density: open
Growth rate: slow
Texture: coarse
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: basal rosette
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: spiny
Leaf shape: elliptic (oval)
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 18 to 36 inches
Leaf color: blue or blue-green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: pink; salmon
Flower characteristic: spring flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: not applicable
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: usually with one stem/trunk
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
Growing best in partial shade in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, Silver Vase makes a handsome ground cover or container plant. Place individual plants about 18 to 24 inches apart for an effective ground cover. A ground cover or mass planting of Silver Vase in front of a green-foliaged shrub grouping which branches to the ground make a nice, bright accent for a partially shaded spot. It can also be successfully grown epiphytically, or without soil, with moss around its roots and wired to the branches of rough-barked trees where its cupped rosette will catch needed water.
Propagation is by division of the offsets or by seed.
Problems include scale and mosquitoes which may breed in the trapped water in the leaves.
Design Considerations
The bold form and coarse texture of the bromeliad make it perfect for containers and highly visible spaces in the landscape. Use with plants that are softer with small foliage and mounding or spreading forms. Dark green foliage in the companion plants will highlight the silver-green and light pink of the bromeliad. Pair with plants that have more texture in the foliage to contrast with the smooth stiff leaves of the bromeliad. Use plants with foliage only, or plants with small to medium flowers with cool bright colors, such as purples and blues, to contrast with the soft pink of the bromeliad flower. Use large masses of companion plants around the base or in front of the bromeliads when they are planted in a mass.
Pests and Diseases
Root rot is a problem if the soil is kept too moist.
