Tillandsia recurvata
Tillandsia recurvata · Bromeliaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant tillandsia recurvata: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Type
- Herbaceous epiphytic plant
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Blooming
- Spring to summer (red or purple flowers)
- Adult size
- 15 to 25 cm tall
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, sensitive to cold (min. 10-15°C)
- Origin
- Central and South America
Care
Watering
Tillandsia recurvata is an epiphyte that absorbs water through its leaves. Mist the foliage regularly, 2 to 3 times per week, preferring soft water or rainwater. Make sure the plant dries quickly after misting to prevent rot. During winter, reduce the frequency of misting.
Light
Place your Tillandsia recurvata in bright indirect light, near a window without direct intense sunlight. This plant appreciates good air circulation, ideally suspended or attached to an airy support. Avoid dark and confined spaces.
Fertilizing
Apply a very dilute fertilizer (concentration reduced by half) once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). You can incorporate the fertilizer into your misting water. In autumn and winter, stop fertilizing.
Support and Medium
Tillandsia recurvata doesn't need traditional potting soil. Attach it to wood, cork bark, or a piece of root. Ensure the support allows good air circulation and doesn't trap moisture. You can also grow it suspended in the open air.
Pests and Diseases
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites, especially in dry environments. Rot is the main risk: it occurs if water stagnates in the foliage or ventilation is insufficient. Remove dead leaves and ensure rapid drying after each misting.
Did you know?
Tillandsia recurvata, also called "air plant," is an epiphyte that naturally lives attached to tree branches in tropical forests of the Americas. It doesn't parasitize the host tree, but simply borrows a support from it, and absorbs water and nutrients directly from the air and rain through its specialized leaf scales. This remarkable adaptation makes it a fascinating plant for collectors, requiring no pot or soil.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Droophead tufted airplantGuzmania lingulata
- Fascicularia bicolorFascicularia bicolor
- Matchstick BromeliadAechmea gamosepala
- UrnplantAechmea fasciata
- Northern needleleafTillandsia balbisiana
- Spanish mossTillandsia usneoides
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.