Tillandsia caput-medusae
Medusa's head air plant
An evergreen, epiphytic, frost-tender perennial to 15cm tall. Its linear, grey-green leaves, up to 25cm long, are twisted and incurved and form a bulb-like base. From spring into summer, flower spikes are produced comprising red bracts from which violet-mauve tubular flowers emerge
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Purple Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
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
- Mexico & C America
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 rain, additional light and humidity. See Air plants for more
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
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