Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Colour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Blue | Green Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Red | |||
| Autumn | Pink Blue | Green Red | ||
| Winter | Green Red |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Plants need no compost; they are often grown on wire or bark pieces for support. Grow under glass in bright but diffused light with good ventilation. From spring to autumn, mist daily with rainwater, or immerse in rainwater twice a week, draining well to ensure no water is sitting in the leaves. See the advice page on cultivating air plants for more details
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown at 27°C (81°F) in spring, onto bundles of conifer twigs and sphagnum moss. Propagate by division, removing offsets in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids when flowering
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.