Description

General aspect and origins - Aechmea fasciata is also known as the silver vase bromeliad. It is an epiphytic bromeliad which is native to Brazil. It is about 2 ft (60 cm) tall, has silver-green leaves and an inflorescence made of pink bracts and tiny blue and red flowers.
Leaves - Aechmea fasciata has vase-shaped rosettes of silver-green leaves.
Flowers - When mature, a rosette produces an inflorescence made of pink bracts and tiny blue then red flowers. This inflorescence can last several months. The rosette will then die off, but generally not before new shoots have emerged in the meantime.

Culture

This bromeliad is a plant commonly grown indoors. Moreover, it can also withstand very slight frosts, and some plants have been reported to survive with minor damages cold temperatures down to about 26°F-28°F (-2°C to -3°C) However, this plant should be grown frost-free (and nearly frost-free) climates, which correspond to USDA zones 10a and warmer.
Soil - This plant likes neutral to acidic soils that remain slightly moist. When indoors, it can be sprayed, and the center of the rosette can be watered in summer.

Propagation

After flowering, this plant produces offsets at the base of existing rosettes. These may be removed when about 4 in (10 cm) tall, and rooted in new containers.