Tillandsia Plants
Pink Quill Bromeliads
Tillandsia plants (also known as Air Plant, Sky Plant,
or Pink Quill) receive moisture and nutrients through the leaves.
Most Air Plants do not have roots. Some species do have roots;
however, the roots are primarily used to anchor the plants in place.
Since the roots do not absorb water, these plants gather moisture and
nutrients through their leaves.
One species, T. cyanea (Pink
Quill), can be grown in a pot. The Pink Quill bromeliad gets its name
from the densely packed, overlapping, bright pink bracts that form a
plume.
Other tillandsia species are pinned, tied, or glued onto a
mount, such as a piece of twisted wood or a large seashell.
This bromeliad species blooms and then produces offsets. Most

tillandsias reach maturity in
three to five
years.
All
Air Plant bromeliads are small plants with thin, dark green or
greenish-gray leaves.
They rarely grow more than 6 in/15 cm high
and wide. If you are growing these plants outdoors, consider displaying
them attached to tree ferns and other trees, or growing them in a rock
garden.
Tillandsia
Plants (Air Plants) - Basic Information and Bromeliad Care Tips
Lighting Requirements
This bromeliad prefers bright light. Air plants will tolerate some
direct sun in the winter, but not in the summer.
Temperature Requirements
In
the spring, summer, and early fall, warm temperatures (80° F / 27° C)
are ideal. In the winter cool temperature in the 60° F / 16° C range
are best.
Fertilizer
In
the spring and summer months, feed air plants every two weeks by
spraying them with a high phosphorus fertilizer, diluted to ½ the
normal strength. Leaf scales absorb the nutrients in the
fertilizer. No fertilizer is required in the fall and winter
months.
Water
Spray
plants with water twice a week – make sure they are thoroughly wet. The
plant should dry out in approximately four hours. Avoid soaking the
base of the plant.
Soil
No
soil is needed for most varieties. Sphagnum moss can be used for air
plants to rest on. Pink Quill can be grown in orchid potting medium.
Propogation
Propagate
offsets when they are one-third the size of the parent plant. Drill
small holes in a piece of untreated wood to create a temporary resting
place for these pups.
Repotting
To accommodate new growth, reposition tillandsia plants as needed
(approximately every two to three years.
Longetivity
Individual plants live five years or more.
Selection
Air plants are sold by
their common names, or labeled as T. ionantha or T. usneoides (Spanish
Moss).
Uses and Display Tips
Pink
Quill (T. cyanea), can be grown in a pot. Others tillandsia species can
be pinned, tied, or glued onto a mount, such as twisted piece of wood
or a large seashell.