Air plant (blushing tillandsia) Tillandsia ionantha
Air plant (blushing tillandsia) (Tillandsia ionantha) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Bromeliaceae family, native to Mexico to Nicaragua, on trees and rocks. It grows 4–10 cm (2–4 in) tall and 4–10 cm (2–4 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 8 cm (3 in) apart.
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Air plant (blushing tillandsia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Mature height | 4–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Mature spread | 4–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Spacing | 8 cm (3 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–209 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mexico to Nicaragua, on trees and rocks |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea |
Is Air plant (blushing tillandsia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Air plant (blushing tillandsia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Air plant (blushing tillandsia)
- How far apart should I plant Air plant (blushing tillandsia)?
- About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–10 cm (2–4 in).
- Does Air plant (blushing tillandsia) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Air plant (blushing tillandsia) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Air plant (blushing tillandsia)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Air plant (blushing tillandsia) flower?
- About 104–209 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.
- Is Air plant (blushing tillandsia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
- What grows well with Air plant (blushing tillandsia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Air plant (blushing tillandsia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- A tiny rosette of silvery, stiff leaves that needs no soil: soak or mist it weekly and keep it in bright light and moving air. Before flowering the inner leaves blush bright red and violet tubular flowers appear; then it makes pups and the mother slowly fades.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Pineapple Ananas comosus
- Urn plant (silver vase bromeliad) Aechmea fasciata
- Scarlet star bromeliad Guzmania lingulata
- Imperial bromeliad Alcantarea imperialis
- Chilean puya Puya chilensis
- Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides
- Blushing bromeliad Neoregelia carolinae
- Flaming sword (vriesea) Lutheria splendens