Aechmea fasciata-Silver vase bromeliad flower

Aechmea fasciata or Silver Vase Bromeliad is native to Brazil, being among the most beautiful and probably the best known of all Bromeliads.
Bromeliads love the heat and humidity, thus they are found in the tropics, just like many ferns, cacti and orchids as well as in the temperate zone, along mosses, liverworts, lichens and algae.
Most of the species in this genus are air plants (epiphytes) growing upon other plant, such as trees, or sometimes upon building or even telegraph wire, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air and rain.

In other parts of the world, the urn plant (Aechmea fasciata) is appreciated as house plant for its colorful foliage and beautiful, long lasting bloom. The gray-green leaves with silver-gray bands are arranged in a vase-shaped rosette. From the center of the rosette rises the flower spike with light purple flowers surrounded by pink bracts and bract leaves. The flower lasts for several months under a wide range of temperatures, from 7 - 37° C (45 - 100° F).

• Silver vase bromeliad prefers bright light, protected from direct sun.
• Keep the soil evenly moist at all times, keep a small amount of water in the cup of the plant and mist with warm water in the summer.
• Propagation is possible from seeds or offsets.
  Being a slow growing plant, Aechmea fasciata, like most varieties of Bromeliads are purchased when in flower, disposable after.
  Bromeliads produce side shoots (offsets) after flowering, which can be left on the mother plant or can be divided and rooted. It may take several years before the offset is mature enough to flower. The mother plant will die back slowly.

Bibliography: Wikipedia