The Aechmea plant is technically an airplant. Aechmea's can be acclimated to higher light situations but ideally they prefer indirect light/moderate shade. Since an Aechmea is an air plant they use their roots for support, so when watering an Aechmea pour the water into the central cup of the plant, though change the water frequently else bacterial will grow and can cause a nasty odor and can rot out the plant.