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Tillandsia 'Cotton Candy'

air plant 'Cotton Candy'

'Cotton Candy' is an evergreen epiphyte forming a rosette of long, thin, silvery-green leaves, to around 15cm in diameter. Spikes of lilac-violet flowers emerge from rose-pink bracts just above the foliage

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Pink Green Grey Silver
Summer Purple Pink Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Bromeliaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Plants need no compost, they are glued or wired to a support. Grow under glass in bright but diffused light with good ventilation. From spring to autumn immerse in water twice a week (more in hot, dry conditions), drain well and allow to dry. Can stand outdoors in summer to benefit from rain, and increased light and humidity. See Air plants

Propagation

Propagate from seed (see Air plants) or by separating once they are at least a third the size of the parent

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
Pruning

Remove offsets that have died after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.