Tillandsia Xerographica

Tillandsia Xerographica, also called Xeros, mainly live in Mexico. You can find them suspended in the tall branches of subtropical trees. They are clinging on to the trees and can grow without soil. Tillandsia Xerographica, known as the “King of Air Plants”, it’s the only air plant that can grow over 3 feet in size. 

Xerographica air plants display a distinctive aesthetic with their silver-green curly leaves. Those leaves spiral around the plant as it grows. As a result, you get a striking, almost spherical plant which makes for a stunning décor that’s very easy to care for.

Tillandsia Xerographica is a flowering plant. It only blooms once during its lifetime in the right growing conditions. It blooms from a spiky inflorescence, on a thick stem.
The inflorescence is about 6 to 15 inches in height and heavily branched. The leafy bracts are a beautiful rosy red color covered by scales. The floral bracts are green or yellowish-red in color and 1-2 inches long. The flowers last several months. They are pale lilac with pink highlights and 6-8 centimeters in length. They are narrow and tubular with yellow stamen and style.

Plant Size

Medium 6-7"

Large 7" +

Light

In temperate and continental climates, Tillandsias are commonly grown as houseplants, although they can be placed in a shady location outdoors during the warmer summer months. Indoors, Tillandsias should be placed in a location where they will receive bright diffuse sunlight for the majority of the day. Filtered sunlight through a south or east facing window is ideal. Even in northern regions, Tillandsias can scorch if the plants are exposed to direct mid-day sunlight, particularly during the summer months. Tillandsias grown in glass terrariums are especially susceptible to sun
damage, as curved glass can concentrate the sun rays and burn the plants. Tillandsias can also be cultivated under bright artificial lights such as LED or fluorescent lighting. Halogen and incandescent lights are not recommended for this purpose, as these lamps produce enough heat to damage plants that placed in close proximity to the light fixture.

Water

The watering schedule for Tillandsias may vary throughout the year, depending upon the cultivation method. Tillandsias grown under household conditions usually need additional misting or soaking during the colder months, due to the reduction in room humidity caused by home heating. If Tillandsias are grown in terrariums, it is usually not necessary to increase the watering during the winter as the terrarium provides a more humid environment than household air. In general, Tillandsias appreciate misting once or twice a week. As an alternative, the plants can be submerged in water for 15 minutes about once a week. Soaking is the preferred watering method if the surrounding air is very dry. A longer period of submersion (up to 12 hours) can also benefit Tillandsias before and after a period of non-maintenance, such as a two or
three-week holiday. Tillandsias are not normally affected by chlorine or minerals in the water source, although excessively hard water should be avoided. Collected rainwater can provide an added benefit as it often contains low levels of nutrients.

Plant Specific Care

Temperature: Most Tillandsia species tolerate a wide range of temperatures and a typical household temperature is fine. Tillandsias grown in a backyard greenhouse should not be exposed to freezing or temperatures above 35 Celsius.

Mounting: Tillandsias can be mounted on a wide variety of objects. Corkbark, driftwood, seashells, and branches are just a few examples of suitable materials. A clear waterproof glue such as E6000 works well as a bonding agent. The adhesive should be applied off-center to the base of the Tillandsia in order to avoid interfering with the emerging roots. Thin-coated wire can be used to hold the plant in place until the glue sets. In a terrarium setting, Tillandsias can be wired in place or secured with a light gauge fishing line until the roots become attached to the mounting media. Avoid using bare wire, as copper is toxic to the plants and other metals may rust.

Flowering & Propagation: As with all bromeliads (including the pineapple plant), a Tillandsia plant slowly fades away after flowering. Mature Tillandsias begin to produce offsets (pups) before and during the flowering period. By the time the blooming plant is finished, the offsets will have become large enough to separate from the parent plant or vice versa. Tillandsia species that produce multiple offsets can be left undisturbed and will eventually develop into an attractive spherical clump. If the Tillandsia flowers are pollinated, the flower will produce dandelion-like seeds that can be germinated. However, Tillandsia seedlings are very slow-growing and a seedling takes years to develop into a mature
plant.

Pet-Friendly Plant

Yes.