Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Tillandsia usneoides or Spanish moss

The genus Tillandsia, family Bromeliaceae, comprises 600 species of epiphytic plants native to the American continent. Some species are: Tillandsia usneoides, Tillandsia cyanea, Tillandsia aeranthos, Tillandsia australis, Tillandsia imperialis, Tillandsia fasciculata, Tillandsia dyeriana, Tillandsia geminiflora.

Common names: Spanish moss, Long-moss, Vegetable Horsehair, False Horsehair, Dole's Beard, Florida Moss, Vegetable hair, Air Plant, Old man's beard, Black-moss, Airplant, Long Hair, French Wig, Spanish Beard, Pele's hair. This species is native to southern United States of America.

They are curious epiphytic plants that grow hanging on trees without damaging them; they reach 6 meters (19.68 feet) in length. They have fine stems covered with small, scaly, silver-gray leaves. The flowers are green and very small. They bloom in summer but do not usually do so if grown indoors.

They are used as a houseplant but without a pot; tie them with stainless wire to a piece of cork or tree bark and hang near a window. They can also accompany bromeliads and epiphytic orchids or grow between the branches of a tree.

Tillandsia usneoides prefers a light exposure without direct or semi-shaded sun. In humid climates it can grow in full sun. They do not resist temperatures below 13 ºC (55.4 ºF).

They are epiphytic plants that take nutrients from the air or the tree on which they grow without harming you.

To water these plants they are immersed in lime-free water for 5 minutes with their base every 2 days in summer and every 15 days in winter. The plant should be sprayed almost daily with lime-free water.

They do not need pruning or fertilizers.

They are resistant to the usual pests and diseases. Sometimes they can be used by some birds as elements of nest construction.

They are easily propagated by taking a piece of the plant and tying it to a bark or cork.

Images of the indoor plant Tillandsia usneoides or Spanish moss