Tillandsia ionantha 'Rubra'

RHS Plant Profile

sky plant 'Rubra'

RHS

Synonyms

Tillandsia ionantha var. rubra

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

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An evergreen, epiphytic perennial to 10cm tall and wide with narrow, densely packed, bright green leaves with silvery scales, particularly towards the base, turning bright red when the plant is flowering. Tubular, purple flowers with yellow stamens emerge from narrow white bracts in spring and summer

Position

Partial shade

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Bromeliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
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: Not established

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plants need no compost, they are wired or glued 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 and additional light and humidity. See Air plants cultivation

Propagation

Propagate from seed (see Air plants) or by removing 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 rosettes that have died after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free