Tillandsia tectorum
roof air plant
T. tectorum is an evergreen, epiphytic perennial, to 30cm tall, with narrow, linear grey-silver leaves, up to 25cm long, covered with fuzzy white hairs. Small, tubular purple-violet flowers emerge from pinkish-purple bracts in spring and summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Colour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Pink Purple | Grey Silver White | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Pink Purple | Grey Silver White | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver White | |||
| Winter | Grey Silver White |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical 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
Correct
- Plant range
- Ecuador & Peru
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 rainwater twice a week (more in hot, dry conditions), drain well and allow to dry. Can stand outside in summer to benefit from light, rain and humidity. See Air plants cultivation
Propagation
Propagate from seed (see Air plants) or by separating offsets 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 individual rosettes that have died after flowering
Pests
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.