About
Brightly coloured single or double tubular or funnel-shaped flowers emerge from bracts in the summer in shades of red, yellow purple or pink, sometimes producing multi-coloured flowers. Tillandsia, also known as 'air plants', are tender, evergreen perennials, often epiphytic so grow on trees, rocks, in sand or on other surfaces which do not have soil. Rosettes of linear or strap-shaped, sometimes velvety green leaves blush red when exposed to sunlight.
About the genus
Tillandsia are evergreen perennials, often epiphytic, forming rosettes of leathery, linear or strap-shaped leaves, and tubular or funnel-shaped flowers which may be 2-ranked in spikes with conspicuous bracts, or solitary and inconspicuous
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationPlants need no compost; they are glued or wired to a support. Grow under glass in bright but diffused light with good ventilation. From spring to autumn immerse in rainwater twice a week (more in hot, dry conditions), drain well and allow to dry. Can stand outside in summer to benefit from rain, additional light and humidity. See Air plants for further details
PruningRemove individual rosettes that have died after flowering
PropagationPropagate from seed (see Air plants) or by separating offsets once they are at least a third the size of the parent
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free