Tillandsia usneoides

RHS Plant Profile
Spanish moss

Other common names

black moss, Florida moss, gray moss, hanging moss, long beard, long moss, New Orleans moss, southern moss, tree beard, vegetable hair, old man's beard

Conservatory Greenhouse

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

Position

Full sun

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Bromeliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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