About
Single, bright red flowers with three petals are borne in summer. An evergreen, epiphytic perennial to around 10cm tall. Slender, grey-green leaves are up to 12cm long and arrangedin two vertical ranks on either side of the stem forming a flat-leafed rosette.
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
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toArgentina
Care notes
CultivationPlants need no compost, they are wired or glued 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 outdoors in summer to benefit from rain and increased light and humidity. See Air plants cultivation
PruningRemove rosettes that have died after flowering
PropagationPropagate from seed (see Air plants) or by separating offsets once they are at least a third as large as the parent
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free