Aechmea Plant

Aechmea Plant Care

Aechmea fasciata

What is the plant

The Aechmea plant is a member of the bromeliad family. Approximately 180 species belong to this genus. They're most common throughout Central and South America in the wild.

Aechmea is a tropical evergreen plant that grows to be little more than 20 in (50 cm) tall. It has a smooth, slender stem that is almost totally buried under a leafy rosette.
The leaves are large and leathery; their texture may resemble parchment. The color of the leaves is usually silver-white with green stripes. A single bright pink flower grows in the center of the plant.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

15°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

min 10a

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
A unique thing about bromeliads is that you have to put water in the center of the plant. The rosette should be filled with lukewarm water halfway all the time. Rinse and refill your Aechmea plant every couple of weeks. Moisten the soil once a month. Wait until the water comes through the soil and right out of the drainage hole. Don't leave any liquid in the saucer. In nature, Aechmeas grow on trees and rocky terrains, so you can place the pot on a gravel bed instead of a saucer. In the autumn and winter, you may want to reduce watering and spray the soil with a sprinkler.
Pruning
Aechmea pruning is done only after blooming. The peduncle, as a rule, separates itself from the outlet; it does not need cutting. You only need to trim the faded rosette. Do not remove the leaves unless they're dead.
Fertilizer
It is necessary to feed the Aechmea throughout the year for it to develop normally. Mineral liquid fertilizer is ideal. Apply the fertilizers to the soil once every 2-3 weeks in the spring and summer, every 4 weeks in the autumn, and once every 6 weeks in the winter.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Sunlight
Put the pot by an east- or west-facing window. Aechmea doesn't like direct sunlight, so make sure it sits in a well-lit yet protected place. In the summer, you can move the plant outside to a balcony or garden, so it gets all the fresh air. To help your blossoms flourish in the winter, use plant grow lights.
Soil
Leafy soil and peat-sand substrate, both in equal parts, will work for an Aechmea plant. Deciduous soil, humus, and sphagnum are all suitable soils. You can use sand and tiny shards to make it looser. You can also use a specialized bromeliad or orchid substrate. And don't forget about drainage! Put a not very thick layer of expanded clay or pieces of brick on the bottom of the pot, and you are all set.
Propagation
The vegetative approach is the most common. To do so, separate the well-developed offspring from an adult bush in the early spring weeks. Plant the progeny in a separate container and wait until the roots establish.

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Temperature
The flower requires warmth in the summer between 72-79 °F (22-26 °C). It is best to relocate your plant to a colder room where the temperature is 59-65°F (15-18°C). Differences in air temperature at night and during the day are recommended to stimulate flowering and the normal formation of the peduncle.
Aechmea thrives on fresh air, which is why the space where it is kept should be aired on a regular basis. Make sure the plant is protected from drafts, though.
Container
Aechmea has small shallow roots, so a 4 in (10 cm) pot will be good enough. Be sure your pot has drainage holes, as Aechmea roots don't like too much water.
Fun fact
Insects and small amphibians frequently use old plants as miniature pools to escape the heat. Monkeys, on the other hand, actively eat Aechmea fruits. Their droppings transfer little seeds to the branches of new trees.