Tillandsia ionantha
sky plant
An evergreen, epiphytic perennial to 12cm tall and wide. Its linear, arching incurved leaves, to 6cm long, are grey-silver to green in colour with the inner leaves turning red when the plant is flowering. Tubular, violet-blue flowers with yellow stamens emerge from narrow white bracts in spring and summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Colour & 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
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- 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 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
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.