Tillandsia ionantha

Tillandsia ionantha

Family: Bromeliaceae
Common Names: air plant, sky plant, blushing bride
Origin: Tillandsia ionantha originates from Mexico, Central America, and South America
Description: Tillandsia ionantha is a flowering epiphyte (lacking true roots), considered to be stem-less with thin blade-like leaves arising from a central rosette (2,3,4). The leaves are succulent, but rigid, and coated with white/gray trichomes giving it a rough surface texture (2,4,6). The plant’s trichomes on the leaf blades give its foliage an overall grey-green coloration (2). When flowering, the inner leaves turn a bright red color (3,7). The perfect flowers are tubular, approximately 2 inches long, and vary in color from blue, to violet or purple (3,6,7). The bright yellow stamen and pistils protrude past the blue-purple corolla (3,7). When pollinated, the flowers form 3 cm long fruits, called capsules. Each seed in the fruit has a feather-like appendage to facilitate wind-dispersal (3). Offshoots develop from the plant creating a cluster of plants over time (3,4,7).

Interesting Features:
- Tillandsia ionantha lacks true roots, and is instead coated in specialized hairs, or trichomes, used to absorb moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere.
Uses: Due to its fiery red spikes and violet flowers, Tillandsia ionantha has captured the hearts of many as a unique, low-maintenance houseplant. Tillandsia ionantha’s sole importance commercially is as an ornamental, and it is one of the most widely available bromeliad species globally (3). It is often used as a decorative accent in people’s homes, whether they are hanging in glass globe pendants, or placed in pebbled terrariums as a center piece.

Cultivation and Care:

Watering: Low
- Tillandsia ionantha is considered low water use, although regular misting every 3-4 days is recommended.
Soil: Non-specific.
- Tillandsia ionantha is epiphytic and can survive on a wide array of substrates whether organic or inorganic. However traditional potting mediums should be avoided, dry/aerated substrates are preferable to avoid rot.
Lighting: Bright indirect/filtered light is optimal for it to flourish.
- Tillandsia ionantha will tolerate shade, but in rates of 50% or greater it may not flower or develop its attractive red leaves in its center.
Propagation: Seed propagation is possible. However, the development of offsets is the easiest method of propagation.
Cold Tolerance: 35-40° F, USDA hardiness zone 10b
Special Accommodations: Tillandsia ionantha will suffer from over-misting, and allowing too much water to accumulate in the scales of its leaves will lead to rot.
- Routine light misting is recommended as well as placement in a well-ventilated area.

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