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Tillandsia
Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) growing on an oak tree in SE USA
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Poales Family: Bromeliaceae Subfamily: Tillandsioideae Genus: Tillandsia L.
Species
See text.

The plant genus Tillandsia, a member of the Bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae), is found in the deserts, forests and mountains of Central and South America, and Mexico and the southern United States in North America. The thinner leafed varieties grow in rainy areas and the thick leafed varieties in areas more subject to drought. Moisture and nutrients are gathered from the air (dust, decaying leaves and insect matter) through structures on the leaves called trichomes. Tillandsia species are epiphytes, i.e. in nature they normally grow without soil, attached to other plants. Epiphytes are not parasitic, and depend on the host only for support.

Reproduction is by seeds or by offsets called "pups". A single plant could have a dozen pups which can be removed and grown alone or left to form a colony.

The genus Tillandsia was named by Carolus Linnaeus after the Finnish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640-1693).

There are about 400 species, including:

• Tillandsia aeranthos
• Tillandsia araujei : Sao Paulo Air Plant
• Tillandsia baileyi Rose ex Small : Spindle Airplant, Reflexed Airplant
• Tillandsia balbisiana J.A. & J.H. Schultes : Northern Needleleaf
• Tillandsia bartramii Ell. : Bartram's Airplant
• Tillandsia bulbosa Hook. : Bulbous Airplant
• Tillandsia caput-medusae : Octopus Plant
• Tillandsia circinnata
• Tillandsia cyanea : Pink Quill
• Tillandsia dyeriana : False Vriesea
• Tillandsia excelsa : Piño
• Tillandsia fasciculata Sw. : Giant Airplant
• Tillandsia festucoides Brongn. ex Mez : Fescue Airplant
• Tillandsia flabellata : Candelabrum Plant
• Tillandsia flexuosa Sw. : Twisted Airplant
• Tillandsia insignis
• Tillandsia ionantha : Blushing Bride
• Tillandsia juncea : Wisk broom Airplant
• Tillandsia lindenii Regel : Blue-flowered Torch
• Tillandsia lineatispica Mez : Pinon
• Tillandsia meridionalis
• Tillandsia montana
• Tillandsia paucifolia Baker : Potbelly Plant
• Tillandsia pruinosa Sw. : Fuzzywuzzy Airplant
• Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. : Small Ballmoss
• Tillandsia setacea Sw. : Southern Needleleaf
• Tillandsia streptophylla : Curly Locks Plant
• Tillandsia stricta : Hanging Torch
• Tillandsia tectorum : Powder Puff Plant
• Tillandsia tenuifolia L. : Narrowleaf Plant
• Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. : Spanish moss
• Tillandsia utriculata L. : Spreading Airplant
• Tillandsia variabilis Schlecht. : Leatherleaf Airplant
• Tillandsia xeropgraphica : Shirley Temple Airplant

Hybrids

• Tillandsia × floridana (L.B. Sm.) Luther (T. bartramii × T. fasciculata)
• Tillandsia × smalliana Luther (T. balbisiana × T. fasciculata)

Tillandsia makes an interesting houseplant, grown indoors or in a greenhouse, needing no soil because water and food is absorbed through the leaves. The roots are used as anchors only (being without root hairs through which nutrient could be taken in). Common names for Tillandsia include Air plant, Ball moss (T. recurvata) and Spanish moss, the latter referring to T. usneoides in particular.

Light

Place in indirect or diffused sunlight in summer (full summer sun will damage the leaves) but direct sun is acceptable in winter. If indoors, Tillandsia must be placed near a bright window (avoid a north-facing view). They prefer to be outdoors in summer.

Air

Fresh, moving air is ideal.

Watering

For all watering, the first choice is rain water. If not available, use filtered tap water or tap water. The plants should be soaked thoroughly twice a week when not in flower; more often in a hot dry environment but do not keep the plants constantly wet, allow to dry between waterings. Additionally, the plant will enjoy being sprayed once a day in summer. In autumn and winter spray three times a week. Spraying does not replace thorough soaking with a watering can or dipping entirely in water (for approximately one hour). After soaking, excess water is shaken off to avoid rot. Plants in flower are more susceptible to rot and should not be soaked. Tillandsia cannot survive in standing water, nor being planted in earth.

Temperature

Temperature is not critical, the allowable range being from 32°C down to 10°C. They are sensitive to frost, except for the hardiest species, T. usneoides, which can tolerate night-time frosts down to about -10°C.

Feeding

Spray with Bromeliad or houseplant fertilizer, once every two weeks spring and summer and once every four weeks autumn and winter. Dilute the feed to one quarter the recommended strength.

Flowering

Although not normally grown for their flowers some Tillandsia will bloom on a regular basis, indeed, some species have very impressive flowers. In addition it is quite common for plants to take on a different leaf colour (usually changing from green to red) when about to flower. This is, sadly, an indication that the plant is monocarpic (flowers once before dying) but offsets around the flowering plant will continue to thrive.

Offsets

After flowering, the plant will grow offsets or "pups" around the mother plant. Leave these on if possible, as the plant will be heartier if left to form a colony.

Fixing plant to a base

Fix with silicone adhesive or a non-water soluble glue, on the lower leaves but try to avoid the base from which the roots grow. For a mount, try seashells, log sections, driftwood, coral, rocks, pottery, fountains or crystals. If desired, decorate the mount with sphagnum moss (dyed or natural green) and ornaments.

Tillandsia caput-medusae

Tillandsia cyanea

Tillandsia flabellata