Hailing from southeastern Brazil, the urn plant is an epiphytic species, meaning it has the unique ability to grow without soil, often on trees, without drawing any nutrients from the tree itself. Instead, it uses its roots merely for support, deriving most of its nourishment from the central cup formed by its leaves, also known as the rosette. The plant thrives in consistently moist but well-drained soils and prefers indirect, bright sunlight. Its green and gray leaves have tiny hair-like structures that protect it from intense sunlight. If the leaves lose these gray tones, it indicates a lack of sufficient light. The urn plant flowers only once in its lifetime, producing small violet flowers that mature to red. These flowers are surrounded by eye-catching pink bracts that remain vibrant for several months. After this spectacular blooming event, the mother plant dies, leaving behind 'pups' or offsets at the base that grow into new plants. Photographed in the department of Quindio, Colombia.