Tillandsiaare members ofthe Bromeliad family . They areepiphytesthat use their roots to cohere harmlessly to surface such as trees and rock music for support , instead of using them to ingest nutrients .
Commonly know as atmosphere works , there are two type : mesic and xeric .
The first come from tropic rainforest regions where wet is abundant , and the second , from teetotal desert climes .
T. aeranthos. Photo by Eric J. Gouda, Wikimedia Commons viaCC BY-SA.
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In ourguide to growingTillandsiaair plants , we discuss all you necessitate to have it off to cultivate these foul , strange flora .
In this clause , we round up 17 of our best-loved species , to guide you in build a collection of your own .
T. aeranthos. Photo by Eric J. Gouda, Wikimedia Commons viaCC BY-SA.
Here ’s the batting order :
17 OutstandingTillandsiaSpecies
Tillandsiaof the xeric variety have a bleary or silvern look , light colour , and flattened leaf shape .
This is because they are covered in moisture - draw trichomes that help them endure drought conditions in desert clime .
They require the least amount of water , on the order of a Light Within misting twice a week , plus a monthly dunking in water .
Mesic kind , on the other hand , have darker foliage that is smooth and often curly .
They are customary to rainforest humidity , and like to be mist over every other mean solar day , or plunge every week . You may also give them a deep 30 - minute soakage once a calendar month .
flora tolerate temperatures between 50 and 90 ° atomic number 9 .
Take care to gently shake or invert plants to free them of redundant moisture . Do n’t use moss as a base , and avoid wet display surfaces , to annul rotting .
Both types do well in burnished , indirect sunshine . Xerics can tolerate the shiny visible light , but still benefit from shelter from the most acute afternoon ray .
Most change broadly bloom once , dying afterward , to be replace by emerging offsets or “ pup . ”
Bloom periods vary from a number of days to several workweek , or even months . Varieties with especially long - lasting heyday are noted below .
And at long last , some specie are uncommitted in diminished , medium , and orotund size , so take this into account as you plan your collection .
If you want a quick and easy way to get take up , instead of choose case-by-case species , you could purchase an assorted mix of five differentTillandsiaplants , useable from Terrain .
TillandsiaCollection , Small
Each flora is approximately three to five inch long and one to two inches broad .
Terrain also carriesa average - sized aggregation , with industrial plant four to 10 inches long and two to three inches wide .
And now , here are 17 of our ducky and the fundamental strong-arm attributes of each private species :
1. Aeranthos
T. aeranthosis a xeric variety with swooning green leaves that have a silvery mold .
The foliage is pointed and stiff , go outwards from the center to form a russet scab . In the brightest illumination , it may have a purple chromaticity .
As it grows , the stem canker telescope to heights of six to eight inches .
From this pale and unassuming foliage , stunning blossoms rise on elongate stems , or inflorescences .
With pinkish - purple bracts and a ring of naughty - purple petals , they resemble tiny fuchsia flowers .
2. Albertiana
You ’ll recognize thatT. albertianais a mesic eccentric by its smooth , dark , sarcoid farewell . They have a yellow - green hue that may darken toward a regal shade .
A central identifying characteristic is its “ distichous ” foliage rule . Like that of a fir tree , the leaves are arranged in a repeating design of oppose rows .
Mature heights range from two to four inch .
The bloom of this assortment have three bright blood-red petals and may last a week .
3. Andreana
Like a small tussock of wispy grass , mesicT. andreanahas narrow , fleshy leaves that are sick unripened and needle - like .
A delicate beauty , it dislikes temperature fluctuations more than most .
Heights range from four to six inches .
T. andreana
The payoff for supply to its concern is a blush of red followed by the emergence of an upright coral - flushed flower .
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4. Brachycaulos
The flat unripe leaves of xericT. brachycaulosare a bright mid - dark-green , and resemble those that come forth from the top of a ananas .
The foliage may have a purple or red cast , and develop in a telescope manner to height of eight to 10 inches .
T. brachycaulos
Upon blooming , the foliage blushes magenta - red , and upright empurpled blossoms appear .
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5. Bulbosa
MesicT. bulbosahas fleshy , dark green farewell that resemble the squiggly tentacles of an devilfish .
They protrude from a foundation that resemble a layered onion , and may reach heights of 8 to 18 inches .
When bloom , the upper leave turn red , and from their sum , a small - statured crimson bract emerge that contains a purplish - petaled bloom .
An unusual feature article of this flora is that in the wild , it exists in symbiosis with ants that make their home in its empty bulb - like bow bases .
T. bulbosa
Keep this in mind if you give your plants out-of-door time in the summer month . They wo n’t hurt the plant , but mayinvade your home .
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6. Butzii
resemble a little squid , the secernate feature of mesicT. butziiis the mottling on its tentacle - like greenish leaves .
The foliage originates in a rounded bulb - like groundwork and may raise up to 10 inches long .
LikeT. bulbosa , it may host pismire if placed outdoors .
T. butzii
Red flowering open to empurpled efflorescence .
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7. Capitata
This type may resembleT. brachycaulos , with its wanderer industrial plant - alike leaves , but two differentiating characteristics are that this type is xeric , with the classic silvery cast trichomes make , and it blushes peach - pinko just before blooming .
There are a phone number ofT. capitatavarieties available , graze from light-green to purpleness . Heights may exceed 10 inches .
T. capitata
At efflorescence time , the center leaves blush peach before a over-embellished heyday emerges from the rosette center .
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8. Caput medusae
A xeric variety , T. head medusaehas silver - white-haired trichomes on snake - comparable wind green leave-taking that resemble the hair of the fabulous Medusa .
growing is telescope with laterally spreading foliation , and heights range from six to eight inch .
During inflorescence , you ’ll see a pinkish flush at the nub of the plant first , be by red / yellow bracts that open to violet / white blossoms .
T. caput medusae
LikeT. bulbosa , ants may make their home in the radical of this plant , so be aware of this if you give it time outside .
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9. Chiapensis
T. chiapensis is a xeric metal money with rosette of arching to curly , trichome - cover abstemious - immature foliage that may flush to purpleness .
height alter widely , from two to 12 inches .
When in bloom , pale pink quill - like spikes with imperial flowers rise from the center .
10. Concolor
XericT. concolorboasts illumine immature to yellow trichome - covered leaves that resemble those of a wanderer plant life . They are noteworthy for their firmness .
tallness are between seven and nine inches .
At blooming time , the foliage blushes red and gullible quill - like spikes rise from the plaza to unwrap Battle of Magenta blooms .
T. concolor
More adaptable than some , it can handle vivid Light Within to shadow .
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11. Cyanea
T. cyaneais a mesic variety with a cluster of medium green , spider - like leave .
Heights range from eight to 10 in .
plant bring on a spicy garden pink flight feather - corresponding ear with three - petaled regal - blue bloom on its edge .
T. cyanea
This industrial plant has roots that are capable to take up nourishment , and unlike other mintage , it also thrive in pot soil .
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12. Didisticha
T. didistichais a xeric type with steady , arching grayish - green foliage in the condition of a loose little potato .
This is a large variety that can reach 12 inches tall .
The flower is a Salmon River - colored flowering with bantam whitened blossoms .
13. Funckiana
T. funckianais a xeric type that looks like a cluster of light green balsam fir phonograph needle surface with a weak dusting of nose candy .
Soft to the touch , it may wind or dilute vertical , to a length of about eight inches .
Its bloom is a foresightful cherry tubular blossom that graciously emerge at the bakshish of the narrow leafage .
14. Ionantha
The rosettes of xericT. ionanthastart out silver - park and change in refinement to take on red tones at bloom time .
This eccentric has a tiny height , attain mature heights of one to three in .
T. ionantha
When the tubelike purplish blossom break from the little potato ’s crimson center , the effect of green , scarlet , and purpleness creates a miniature horticultural tapis .
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15. Recurvata
T. recurvata , aka diminished ball moss , is a rounded xeric type with narrow silver grey - gullible leaves that resemble the twigs in an intricate dame ’s nest .
In the brightest light , the foliage may have a ruby cast .
ripe superlative attain six to 12 in .
The flower is a rather nondescript ear of green to red , on a green inflorescence .
16. Usneoides
Also known as Spanish moss , T. usneoidesis a xeric salmagundi that is unique in that it grows in a down direction , clinging and hanging from host surfaces in the wilderness .
Like a mass of snarl grey - light-green hair , foliage may exceed 20 feet in length .
The flower are brown and characterless , but they have a pleasant nighttime fragrance .
17. Xerographica
With its trichome - covered spring green foliation , xeric T. xerographica is one of the largest , sturdiest , longest surviving air travel plants .
Its wide leave-taking are profoundly curled in a compact , rounded form .
It ’s a pleasant home companion that can resist both direct and collateral sunlight , sometimes grow as large as three feet wide and twenty - four inches tall over a life-time of twenty long time or more .
Flowering consists of a greenish inflorescence up to 15 inches marvelous , with red and green coloration .
Get Creative with Collectible Tillandsia
Tillandsiaare very versatile plant life . InUSDA Hardiness Zones8 to 11 , they develop well outdoors , and in all geographical zone , they make easy - tutelage houseplants .
In addition , with a little splash of flowered glue , usable from Amazon , they make eclectic wearable accessories and gift - wrapping decorations . And while they do n’t need soil , they do need water , so keep that in mind as you imagine the possibilities .
And eventually , plants produce indoors do n’t get the nutrients they would get if they were in their natural habitat . you may provide supplemental aliment with plant food .
A merchandise you may like isthis air industrial plant fertiliser from Cute Farms via Amazon . Mix it per software program instructions , for a monthly dunk or soaking .
pick out your favorites and get pop . There are so many to pile up , I bang you ’re going to have fun !
If you enjoyindoor gardening , you ’ll desire to read these usher next :
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