Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides
Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Bromeliaceae family, native to The south-eastern United States to Argentina and Chile. It grows 50 cm–6 m (20 in–20 ft) tall and 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Spanish moss in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Spanish moss at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–6 m (20 in–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | The south-eastern United States to Argentina and Chile |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇵🇪 Peru |
Is Spanish moss toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; wild clumps may harbour chiggers and other mites.
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 Spanish moss
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Spanish moss
- How far apart should I plant Spanish moss?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Spanish moss need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Spanish moss need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Spanish moss?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Spanish moss flower?
- About 52–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Spanish moss 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; wild clumps may harbour chiggers and other mites.
- What grows well with Spanish moss?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Spanish moss. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Neither a moss nor a lichen but a rootless bromeliad: long grey festoons of thread-like stems that hang from live oaks and cypresses, taking water and nutrients from the air and rain through silvery scales. Once harvested to stuff mattresses and car seats.
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
- Air plant (blushing tillandsia) Tillandsia ionantha
- Blushing bromeliad Neoregelia carolinae
- Flaming sword (vriesea) Lutheria splendens