2 indoor plants begin with U: Urn Plant, Umbrella Plant. Every entry below shows the facts you came for first: light, water, toxicity and mature size, with the full care guide one click away.
Aechmea fasciata
- LightBright, filtered light or partial shade, such as an east or…
- WaterKeep about 2.5 cm (an inch) of fresh water in the central…
- ToxicityNot ASPCA-listed
- Mature size30 to 90 cm (12 to 36 in) tall and 30…
Urn Plant grows as a stiff rosette of broad, silver-banded green leaves that holds water in a central cup, shaped like a vase. After three to five years it pushes out a large pink flower head with small violet flowers, then the rosette dies and leaves pups behind.
No retailer link for this plant yet.
Full care guide →
Care notes
Bright, filtered light or partial shade, such as an east or west window with a sheer curtain. Two to six hours of indirect light a day keeps the silver banding strong.
- Too much light: leaves wash out to pale yellow and the centre and leaf tips burn brown.
- Too little light: growth slows, the silver banding fades to plain dark green, and the plant may never flower.
Schefflera arboricola (also listed as Heptapleurum arboricola)
- LightBright, indirect light, ideally three to four hours of…
- WaterWater deeply, then let the top 3 to 4 cm (about 1.5 in) dry…
- ToxicityToxic to pets
- Mature sizeIndoors in a container, 120 to 180 cm…
Umbrella Plant carries glossy leaflets arranged in a circle at the end of each stalk, like the ribs of an umbrella, on an upright woody stem. It is grown indoors as a small tree or bonsai that copes with ordinary rooms and can be kept to size by pruning.
No retailer link for this plant yet.
Full care guide →
Care notes
Bright, indirect light, ideally three to four hours of filtered sun at an east, west or south window.
- Too much light: direct midday sun scorches and bleaches the leaves, and new growth comes in small and pale.
- Too little light: stems stretch between leaves, leaflets shrink, and lower leaves yellow and drop.
Questions about plants that start with U
How many indoor plants start with U?
2, as listed on this page.
Is Urn Plant safe for cats and dogs?
Not ASPCA-listed. Not ASPCA-listed, so there is no safety ruling for this plant and it cannot be called pet safe on that basis. The ASPCA does list other bromeliads, including Neoregelia, Guzmania and Cryptanthus, as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and no toxic principle is documented for Aechmea. The leaf edges carry small black spines, so a pet that bites the rosette can still get a scratched mouth.
How much light does an Urn Plant need?
Bright, filtered light or partial shade, such as an east or west window with a sheer curtain. Two to six hours of indirect light a day keeps the silver banding strong.Too much light: leaves wash out to pale yellow and the centre and leaf tips burn brown. Too little light: growth slows, the silver ba
How do I know which of these plants suits my room?
Sort by the facts strip: low-light plants for north-facing rooms, pet-safe names if you have a cat or dog, and the smaller species for shelves and desks.