The Brazilian vaseplant (Aechmea distichantha) is a medium-sized, native bromeliad considered to be a shade plant. Its spectacular blooming attracts collectors from around the world. The foliage is arranged in a rosette, forming a characteristic central ‘cup’ where the plant collects water and receives nutrients brought by wind and rain. This ‘cup’ is crucial as it is through it that the plant hydrates and feeds. The leaves are arched, green along their length, and reddish at the base, with small brown spines on the edges.
They are covered with scales, giving a grayish and matte appearance characteristic of the Aechmea genus. The roots are strong and hard, and like other bromeliads, their main role is to anchor the plant to the substrate. The inflorescence usually appears in spring and only once in mature plants. It is upright, composed of very showy and durable pink bracts, remaining intact for weeks. The flowers appear between the bracts and are tubular, with blue, white, or pink petals. After flowering, the plant dies, but not before leaving some new shoots that emerge from the base of the plant.
This beautiful bromeliad can be attached to trees, planted in pots, or directly in flowerbeds, forming masses or borders in areas with indirect light. It gives a tropical air to the garden with its romantic and unusual colors. In the composition of modern vertical gardens, the urn plant is a preferred species. In pots or planters, cultivate the urn plant on the porch or even indoors in a well-lit location. It is very hardy and resistant to pests and diseases. Even after flowering, maintain care until the shoots are large enough to be separated from the mother plant.
Brazilian vaseplant should be cultivated in partial shade in a substrate suitable for epiphytes or attached to the trunk of non-deciduous trees. It appreciates humidity, so it should be watered frequently, keeping the cup always full. However, avoid waterlogging the roots, as it promotes rot. Like other bromeliads, the urn plant is very sensitive to chemical pesticides and fertilizers, preferring organic fertilization. Do not use Bordeaux mixture or other copper-based products on bromeliads. It propagates by fresh seeds and by separating the lateral shoots that form after flowering.
