How to Grow and Care for Urn Plant (Aechmea Fasciata)

Urn Plant Care

• Put in a place with bright, indirect light.
• Plant in moist, well-drained potting mix.
• Keep the soil consistently moist and water the center cup.
• Feed monthly during the growing season.

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Light

Give your urn plant plenty of bright, indirect light. This plant naturally grows below the tree canopy’s shade in its native tropical forests. Keep the plant out of direct sun.

Soil

Use a light, well-drained potting mix that holds moisture. Since urn plant is an epiphytic plant, it uses its roots to hold onto tree branches rather than growing in soil. You can purchase pre-made mixes designed for bromeliads or make your own by combining equal parts peat moss or coconut coir, perlite, and finely shredded pine bark or orchid bark.

Water

Allow your urn plant’s soil to dry out before each watering. Instead of watering on a regular schedule, check soil moisture often and water based on that.

However, it’s important to keep the central cup-shaped opening formed by the plant’s leaves at least half full of water at all times. Flush and replace the water every few weeks.

Temperature and Humidity

Urn plant grows best in conditions with temperatures between 60°F and 80°F and humidity between 40 and 50 percent. Plants can tolerate higher temperatures with adequate water and humidity.

Fertilizer

Urn plant doesn’t necessarily require fertilizer, but you can use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength when watering its roots during the spring and summer. Take care not to add fertilizer to the water you pour into the central cup. Some gardeners choose to use fertilizers designed for orchids or air plants.

Propagating Urn Plant

Urn plant can only be propagated when offsets, or baby plants, appear once a mature plant has bloomed. Offsets will grow around the base of the mother plant after the inflorescence has appeared. You can remove them to propagate separately or simply leave the offsets in place as the mother plant dies back. If you decide to divide the offsets, let them grow as large as possible before removing them so they have the best chance of surviving independently.

1. Gather a clean, sharp knife or shears, rooting hormone powder, fresh potting mix, and a small plant pot for each offset.
2. Examine the mother plant and clear away an inch or two of soil around the base. You should be able to see where the pups connect to the main stem slightly below the soil surface.
3. Use the knife to remove the offset, cutting straight down at the base and getting as close to the mother plant as possible. It’s okay if the cutting hasn’t yet developed any roots of its own.
4. Fill a plant pot with fresh potting mix and water lightly to moisten it. Make a hole a few inches deep in the soil with your finger.
5. Dip the base of the offset in rooting hormone and plant it in the hole, only pressing down the soil lightly to keep the cutting in place.
6. Put the cutting in a warm place that gets bright, indirect light. Keep the soil evenly moist and the central cup filled with water.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases 

Urn plant isn’t particularly susceptible to pests or diseases, but it can fall prey to common sucking insects like mealybugs and scale. Root rot, a fungal issue caused by overly wet soil, may affect plants that aren’t allowed to dry out between waterings.

How to Get Urn Plant to Bloom

An urn plant that isn’t blooming may simply be immature. Generally, plants must be at least three years old before they bloom, and they must be grown under the proper conditions. A mature plant may not bloom if temperatures are too consistent. The plant needs cooler temperatures to grow dormant, after which it may produce an inflorescence.

In the winter, keep the plant in a cool place and cut back on watering. You can also try stimulating your urn plant to bloom by emptying the central cup and placing the plant in an airtight, clear plastic bag with an apple for about a week. You may be more likely to see the inflorescence appear in the two to three months after removing the bag.

Common Problems With Urn Plant

Flower Not Reblooming

An urn plant’s colorful inflorescence can last for weeks or months. However, these plants only bloom once in their lifetime. Once the inflorescence dies back, it won’t regrow. For future blooms, follow the instructions above to propagate offsets into new plants.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellow leaves are a common sign of overwatering your urn plant. A plant that’s not getting enough light may also display yellow leaves.

Browning Tips

Overly dry conditions can cause the tips of your urn plant’s leaves to brown. Too much direct sunlight can also cause brown spots on leaves.