Care of the indoor plant Tillandsia fasciculata or Giant airplant |
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The genus Tillandsia, family Bromeliaceae, includes 600 species of epiphytic plants native to the American continent. Some species are: Tillandsia fasciculata, Tillandsia imperialis, Tillandsia cyanea, Tillandsia aeranthos, Tillandsia usneoides, Tillandsia australis, Tillandsia dyeriana, Tillandsia geminiflora. Common names: Giant airplant, Common Wild Pine, Stiff-Leaved Wild Pine, Cardinal airplant. This species is distributed throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida, Central America, Colombia and Brazil. They are epiphytic bromeliads with rosette leaves that reach 50 cm (19.6") in diameter. The leathery, linear leaves are silvery gray. It produces flower spikes up to 30 cm (11.8") tall with red and yellow bracts and tubular purple flowers. They bloom in summer. Giant airplant is used as indoor and greenhouse plants and outdoors on walls or in trees protected from the cold. Tillandsia fasciculata grows in full sun and semi-shade exposures. It resists frost down to -3 ºC (26.6 ºF) if the environment is dry. This epiphytic plant can grow in cracks in walls or hanging on tree trunks with a bit of moss. Common Wild Pine can be grown in hanging pots with some well-drained peat moss. Water moderately with water without lime, waiting for the substrate to dry. Cardinal airplant resists drought well. Giant airplant does not need fertilizer or pruning. Tillandsia fasciculata is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases. Cardinal airplant propagates by separation of suckers in any season of the year. |
Images of the indoor plant Tillandsia fasciculata or Giant airplant |
 Tillandsia fasciculata  Tillandsia fasciculata |