Tillandsia grows in the forests, deserts and mountains of Central and South America, Mexico and in the southern United States. It is somewhat wild, wonderfully beautiful and yet surprisingly easy to manage; these qualities make the Tillandsia a very special Bromeliad. It is a cheerful muddle from which one or more eye-catchers emerge. The green parts are narrow and pointed, between these structures that most closely resemble a funky scoop, it grows an alien torch or a collection of small flames.
Name: Tillandsia
Pot sizes: 9cm – 12cm
Varieties: We cultivate approximately 9 Tillandsia varieties
All varieties can be seen here in one overview.
From light to very bright; never in direct sunlight
14-30°C
1x per 2 weeks
Not required
Place the Tillandsia in a well-lit spot in the house, but not in direct sunlight. Water this plant in the central calyx; this is the heart of the plant from which the flower grows. From this heart, the plant will feed itself. If no more water is visible in this central cusp of the leaves, the plant should be watered again. Their tropical roots make Tillandsia’s excellent survivors and thus, they require little maintenance. Tillandsias provide an average of 3-6 months of flowering pleasure!
The Tillandsia probably originated during the Cretaceous era about 65 million years ago. Fossil specimens have been dated back to 30 million years ago and so, they can justifiably be called primeval life forms. Incas, Aztecs and Mayans used almost every part of the Tillandsia for food, protection, fibre and ceremonies. What we conveniently refer to here as flowers are in fact coloured bracts. The actual Bromeliad flowers are very small. They grow out from the bracts, dry out and then turn black. This provides extra ornamental value. If you prefer them without flowers, you can easily pick them off. For example, the pink Tillandsia Anita will surprise you with cute little purple flowers, and the bright orange Tillandsia Dyeriana with small white flowers.
The Tillandsia has a very high level of ornamental value. All varieties have an elegant appearance and look beautiful in combinations for example, in a bowl of Bromeliads. You can produce surprising creations by using these exotic plants. They like high humidity levels and therefore, they are ideal for brightening up your bathroom. Looking for inspiration? Take a look at our value-added catalogue.