Tillandsia 'Cotton Candy'

RHS Plant Profile

air plant 'Cotton Candy'

RHS

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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An evergreen epiphyte forming a rosette of long, thin, silvery-green leaves, to around 15cm in diameter. Spikes of lilac-violet flowers emerge from rose-pink bracts just above the foliage

Position

Partial shade

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Neutral

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: 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 glued or wired to a support. Grow under glass in bright but diffused light with good ventilation. From spring to autumn immerse in water twice a week (more in hot, dry conditions), drain well and allow to dry. Can stand outdoors in summer to benefit from rain, and increased light and humidity. See Air plants

Propagation

Propagate from seed (see Air plants) or by separating 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 offsets that have died after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free