Botanical Name: Aechmea fasciata
Common Name: Silver-cup bromeliad
Type of Plant: monocot: perennial
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape Clumping, rosette-forming upright plant with gray-green strap-like spiny leaves; flowers usually appear from spikes inside the center of the rosette
Height to 2'
Spread to 2'
Growth Rate slow
 
Environment:
Exposure in/out partial shade outdoors, takes bright light indoors
Soil needs fast-draining soil; can be mounted on boards
Hardiness tender outdoors – Zones 23 and 24; durable indoors
 
Morphology:
Leaves broad, strap-like leaves with silvery “bloom” forming horizontal stripes across leaves; margins are toothed, 2-4" wide to 18" long
Flowers bracts spiny, pink to purple, 3" long or more; flowers purple to red, 1/2" long – blooms naturally in early spring
Fruit tiny berries; dries to cottony tufts with tiny seeds
 
Propagation:
seed, division, meristem culture
 
Usage:
houseplant with long lasting flowers, good for foliage color – usually used singly in pots, sometimes in mass plantings in atrium gardens
 
Landscape Care:
Watering keep fairly dry – can be watered in “cup” about every 10 days
Fertilizing 1/2 strength liquid fertilizer every month or so
Pruning divide mother plant after flowering; discard original plant
Pests/Diseases scale, thrips, root rot in poorly drained soils
Special Conditions/Other ethylene gas form ripening fruit will stimulate bloom
 
Origin: Brazil
Family: Bromeliaceae

Notes:
 
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