Tillandsia usneoides - Spanish Moss

The "Tillandsia Air Plant" is the biggest genus in the bromeliad family, representing roughly 550 of the more than 2,500 types of bromeliads.

They are endemic to the hotter atmospheres of the Americas. Generically known as air plants, they are found from wilderness to rain forest to dry desert conditions – from sea level to high mountain locales. 

Most Tillandsia species utilize their root system to join themselves to trees or ledges and retain water and minerals. This classifies the tillandsia as an epiphyte.

Retention happens through little scales on their leaves called trichomes. These trichomes give numerous air plants their silver or grey appearance.

There is a large variety in size, shape, colour, bloom and shading of these bromeliads.

A significant number of these exceptional plants experience significant colour change as they get ready to sprout. Some have a lovely, inimitable scent. These strong plants are versatile and tolerant to an extensive variety of ecological conditions and demand little attention.

Care Instructions:

• Likes bright filtered sunlight 
• Provided the atmosphere is not too dry they can survive with water misting and the occasional bath.
• Never plant in soil.
• Protect them from frosts.
• If you are growing them indoors and the air is dry, you will need (at minimum) to submerge the plant in water for 2-3 hours about every two weeks.
• In a shaded-house or unheated home, you can use a soaking mist once or twice a week in summer, once a month in cooler weather.

Care Level Rating: Easy