Tillandsia utriculata, a large-format air girl
Tillandsia utriculata
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10a (-1.1°C ≤ T° < 1.7°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Bromeliads Bromeliaceae
- Genus
- Daughter of the air Tillandsia
- Species
- Tillandsia utriculata
The territory of Tillandsia utriculata extends from Florida to Venezuela, via the Caribbean. Like many members of the Bromeliaceae family, it is an epiphytic plant, requiring neither roots nor soil to grow. Indoors, in our latitudes, it is often grown as a hanging plant.
How to recognize Tillandsia utriculata?
Although Tillandsia utriculata has only a short stem, it reaches a metre in height and 75 centimetres to a metre in width. Small white scales cover the surface of the plant. They enable the plant to capture moisture and nutrients from the air.
The light-green foliage is evergreen. Leaves grow in rosettes from the stem, as in tillandsia racket. They measure 80 centimetres long and two to seven centimetres wide. Their base is almost oval, while the blade is triangular and curved.
In summer, an upright spike over a metre long appears. It supports tubular white flowers with pistils and stamens protruding from the corolla. Unlike the flowers of spanish Moss, those of Tillandsia utriculata are odorless. Once flowering is complete, the plant produces shoots before dying slowly.
Tillandsia utriculata is not a toxic perennial. You can grow it indoors, even if you live with small children or pets.
Our care tips
Tillandsia utriculata is an epiphytic plant. It requires special watering and repotting techniques.
Watering
Your Tillandsia utriculata captures humidity in the ambient air. Mist its foliage with non-calcareous water (rainwater or mineral water) at the right temperature to provide it with the water, humidity and nutrients it needs.
Water should not stagnate in the plant. Water the plant upside down. Aim for the foliage and avoid the heart of the plant.
With this method, it can be difficult to regulate the water supply. The leaves give you a clue. When they curl up on themselves, it means the plant is thirsty. But if the blades at the base turn yellow or brown, it's a sign of excess water.
Repotting
Your Tillandsia utriculata has no roots. This epiphytic plant requires special repotting. Simply place it on its support: a piece of wood, a stone, a shell... Don't use glue or nails to fix it. It attaches itself naturally to the material.
Fertilization
Fertilizer is an essential source of nutrients for your Tillandsia utriculata. Top up spray water with orchid fertilizer.
Prune
After flowering, cut off the spent flowers. You can do this by hand, or use a clean, sharp tool such as a pair of scissors or pruning shears.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Remove a shoot. Use a clean, sharp knife if necessary.
Leave the young shoot to dry for 24 to 48 hours, until it has healed.
Leave the young shoot to dry for 24 to 48 hours, until it has healed.
Prepare a pot filled with a mixture of potting soil, peat moss, and pine bark. The pot does not need to have drainage holes. Place your cutting in the center.
Place your cutting in a heated room, in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight. Mist it regularly, just as you would a mature plant.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceousFlowery
- Tags
- BeginnerFlowery
- Origins
- North AmericaCentral AmericaSouth America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10a (-1.1°C ≤ T° < 1.7°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower color
- White
Discover plants from the same family
Tillandsia racket
Tillandsia cyanea
Jellyfish head
Tillandsia caput-medusae
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
