Quesnelia marmorata
 
Common Names Grecian Urn Bromeliad, Mottled Quesnelia
 
Zones 9B–11
 
Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, Quesnelia marmorata is a terrestrial or epiphytic bromeliad known for its tall, vase-like rosette and strikingly mottled foliage. The upright leaves curve outward like the lip of a Grecian urn, with horizontal bands of green and silver. Its short-lived but vivid inflorescence features pink-maroon bracts and lavender-blue flowers.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright, vase-shaped rosette; solitary or slow clumper
Size: 18–24 in (45–60 cm) tall; 12–18 in (30–46 cm) wide
Leaves: Narrow, leathery; green with silver mottling; curve outward at tips
Inflorescence: Pink-maroon bracts with lavender-blue flowers; blooms mid to late summer
Fruit: Inconspicuous
Ecology: Tank-forming; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; suitable for restoration and biodiversity gardens
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Bright, filtered light; tolerates partial sun
Watering: Fill leaf cup with clean water; flush weekly; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
Soil: Fast-draining mix with bark or perlite; pH 5.5–6.5
Temperature: 59–86°F (15–30°C); protect from frost
Humidity: Moderate to high (60–90%)
Propagation: By offsets (“pups”) after flowering; detach when ⅓ parent size
Tolerance: Heat and humidity tolerant; sensitive to overwatering
 
Landscape Use Ideal for shaded tropical beds, ecological restorations, and large containers. Pairs well with Aechmea chantinii, Vriesea ospinae var. gruberi, and Tillandsia fasciculata.