Tillandsia usneoides
Spanish moss
T. usneoides is a hanging, epiphytic perennial, with branching, rootless, wiry stems that can reach several metres long, clothed with cylindrical, silver-grey leaves. Scented, tubular, yellow-green or pale blue flowers are produced in late spring or autumn
Other common names
black mossFlorida moss
see moregray moss
hanging moss
long beard
long moss
New Orleans moss
southern moss
tree beard
vegetable hair
old man's beard
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Blue Yellow | Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Green Blue Yellow | Grey Silver | ||
| Winter | Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Pendulous weeping
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Tropical & Subtropical America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow epiphytically under glass in bright, indirect light with moderate to high humidity. From late spring to mid-autumn mist daily with rainwater and apply quarter-strength, low-nitrogen, liquid feed monthly. See Air plants cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by detaching a length of stem
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Sub-tropical
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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