Overview

Tillandsia 'Twisted Tim' is a tufted conservatory greenhouse in the genus Tillandsia, part of the Bromeliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Tillandsia 'Twisted Tim' grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1a. Suggested uses include houseplants and conservatory and greenhouse.

About

Tillandsia 'Twisted Tim' is a tufted, evergreen bromeliad grown for glasshouse and indoor display. It forms compact clumps suited to pots or sheltered shelving. Position it in partial shade on south-, east- or west-facing aspects and keep the growing medium free-draining. Flowering takes place from June to September.

About the genus

Tillandsia is a genus of around 650 species of evergreen, perennial flowering plants in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the forests, mountains and deserts of the Neotropics, from northern Mexico and the southeastern United States to Mesoamerica and the Caribbean to central Argentina. Their leaves, more or less silvery in color, are covered with specialized cells (trichomes) capable of rapidly absorbing water that gathers on them.

Wikipedia contributors, "Tillandsia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Tillandsia

In the garden

A cultivar in the Bromeliaceae, Tillandsia 'Twisted Tim' is produced for use as a houseplant and in conservatory or greenhouse culture, where its tufted habit shows well. The plant retains evergreen foliage and is best kept in protected situations; its recommended locations are within homes or under glass rather than exposed beds. Locate the plant where it receives partial shade and is sheltered from extremes of wind and weather. Use a loam-based medium with neutral pH and ensure it remains well drained; waterlogging should be avoided. In the UK this cultivar falls into H1a (tender), so it requires frost-free conditions and is most reliable when grown under cover through winter. Place Tillandsia 'Twisted Tim' on a shelf or in a pot where its compact tufts can be appreciated alongside other conservatory plants. It will produce its flowers from June to September, so plan displays where summer blooms are viewable at close range and benefit from the sheltered, temperate conditions a greenhouse or heated conservatory provides.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Tillandsia

Sunlight

Partial shade

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1a

Plant details

Tillandsia 'Twisted Tim' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants

Habit

Tufted

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Houseplants, Conservatory and greenhouse

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Tillandsia 'Twisted Tim'

Propagation

Seed, Offsets

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions