A unique and colorful variant of air plant originating from the Caribbean!

This Tillandsia is native to Mexico, Honduras and some Caribbean islands. It has soft, broad leaves with heavy scaling, giving it a dull white appearance. With plenty of light, the young leaves turn orange to reddish.

It usually grows alone, with only a few offspring. The flowers are purple. The species can reach a diameter of about 30 cm.

Botanical description.

This species is native to Mexico to Honduras, Cuba, and Hispaniola. It is a lithophyte (grows on rocks) or epiphyte (grows on plants) and grows primarily in seasonally dry tropical areas.

Care.

Tillandsia are mostly epiphytes, meaning they grow as non-parasitic plants on trees and shrubs. They can be grown hanging freely or mounted.

The leaves of tillandsias are often covered with modified hairs, called trichomes. They appear as more or less dense white wool on the leaves. They act like small sponges and become transparent when filled with water. These hairs keep the tillandsia moist longer and give it more time to absorb water and nutrients before it dries out again.

Tillandsia from dry environments usually have denser hairs and are gray to white when dry. Tillandsia from humid environments have few or no trichomes and are green when dry.

As an indoor plant, Tillandsia from dry regions are most suitable. They can and should be dry most of the time and need a lot of light. Tillandsia from humid environments are more suitable for care in a terrarium or grow cabinet.

This species comes from a dry area. A south or west facing window in direct sunlight is good. In summer it can also grow well outdoors. It should be sprayed thoroughly or dipped briefly every 3 to 5 days.