Care of the indoor plant Aechmea distichantha or Vase plant |
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The genus Aechmea belongs to the Bromeliaceae family and is made up of more than 250 species of bromeliads distributed throughout South America, Mexico and Central America. Some species are: Aechmea distichantha, Aechmea recurvata, Aechmea weilbachii, Aechmea fendleri, Aechmea fasciata, Aechmea caudata. Common names: Brazilian vaseplant, Vase plant. This species is native to Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. They are bromeliads that can grow as epiphytes on trees or on land and reach 70 cm (2.29 feet) height. They present large and long leaves (up to 90 cm/2.95 feet in length) in a linear lanceolate shape with a thorny edge and curved inwards to collect water and organic matter. They are green when not in bloom but can take reddish tints in the sun and when they flower. The flowers appear in long inflorescences and are blue and pink. They bloom only once in spring and although the flowers last for several weeks the plant dies after flowering but usually produces suckers. Its fruit is edible. They are used as indoor or greenhouse plants and in tropical or subtropical climates they can be grown on trees or in pots outdoors. Aechmea distichantha needs an illuminated exposure but without direct sun and a winter temperature above 10 ºC (50 ºF) since they do not resist cold or frost. The soil can be a substrate for orchids to which coarse sand is added. It is also possible to grow them as epiphytes on a tree by covering the roots with sphagno moss and tying them to a branch. They are watered frequently in summer with rainwater or lime-free water directly on the rosette since the roots only serve to hold. In winter they stop watering. It is very important that the humidity is high. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a low nitrogen organic fertilizer. They do not need pruning. They are quite resistant plants to the typical plagues but they fear the puddles. They propagate easily from fresh seeds or by separation of the shoots produced by the plant. |
Images of the indoor plant Aechmea distichantha or Vase plant |
 Aechmea distichantha |