Family: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Air Plant

The 400 natural species of this genus from the tropical Americas have the greatest diversity of shape and growth of all the bromeliads. Some of their inflorescences are brilliant, with flowers in shades of red, pink, blue and purple. While many species have the typical bromeliad, rosette shape, others, like T. usneoides are ram­bling in habit. Tillandsias range from tiny to large, bulky plants and are mainly epiphytic although some are terrestrial. The epiphytes have poorly developed root systems and absorb moisture and nutrients through their foliage. Outside the tropics and subtropics, grow in an intermediate greenhouse.

Species

These are epiphytic unless otherwise stated.

T. cyanea is a small tufted plant, to 25 cm (10 in), forming a rosette of grass-like, arching leaves. It has a spectacular, vivid pink, paddle-shaped flower head, borne on a long stem, from which emerge bright blue flowers.

Rock-dwelling T. grandis, the largest known species, produces flowering stems, to 2 m (6 ft) high, bearing very large inflorescences in yel­lows and greens. This species forms a large rosette.

T. ionantha is an attractive, miniature species, forming a rosette to 7 cm (3 in) high, with green leaves tinged with red at flowering, and dark blue flowers.

T. lindenii is a variable species, growing up to 50 cm (20 in) high, with bright pink bracts and purple-blue flowers.

T. streptophylla has numerous leaves arising from a swollen base, with beautiful, mauve-blue flowers on a pink-stemmed inflo­rescence. It grows to 45 cm (18 in).

T. usneoides, Spanish moss, a rambling species, is seen commonly from Florida south to Argentina, hanging in long, epiphytic tresses from trees.

Cultivation

In the greenhouse, mount the epi­phytes on slabs of bark or on a tree branch. Generally they will not grow in pots. Provide good light (but shade from direct sun) and a humid atmosphere. From spring to autumn, mist spray daily with soft water and liquid feed every four weeks. Terrestrial species need the same conditions but grow in pots of soilless potting compost. Outdoors grow in bright light but avoid direct strong sun. Propagate from well-developed offsets, in spring.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 10 to tropical.