Aechmea — 23 species

Aechmea is a diverse South American bromeliad genus best known for the bold Urn Plant (Aechmea fasciata), with its silver-banded foliage and long-lasting pink-and-purple flower spike. Plants thrive in bright indirect light — an east or west window is ideal — and are watered via their central cup, which should be kept filled and flushed every couple of weeks with rainwater or filtered water. Toxicity varies across species, so check each individual Aechmea before buying if you have cats or dogs, and consult the ASPCA database for the specific variety.