Intermediate
skill rating
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Tillandsia xerographica (King of air plants)
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.9m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Tillandsia xerographica
Other names
King of air plants
Genus
Tillandsia Tillandsia
Species
T. xerographica - T. xerographica is a tender, stemless, epiphytic, evergreen perennial with rosettes of stiff, recurved, narrowly triangular, silvery-grey to grey-green leaves and, in spring, spikes of tubular, reddish-purple flowers with large, yellow-green floral bracts and red leaf bracts.
Tillandsia xerographica is: Evergreen
Habit
Compact, Rosette
Flower
Yellow-green, Reddish-purple in Spring; Reddish-purple, Yellow-green in Summer
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Red spider mite (box and other) Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Red spider mite (box and other)
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Detach offsets in spring and attach to bark slabs. Sow seed at 27C in spring on to bundles of conifer twigs or sphagnum moss. Mist seeds and offsets daily.
Propagation methods
Offsets, Seed
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Where to grow
Tillandsia xerographica (King of air plants) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Under glass, grow epiphytically by gluing or wiring to a support. Place in bright, indirect light with moderate to high humidity and good ventilation. From spring to autumn, mist daily and immerse in rainwater twice a week, drain well, and allow to dry. Feed with a quarter-strength, low-nitrogen, liquid fertiliser monthly. Outdoors, grow in a tree in moist, partial shade.
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Tillandsia xerographica
Other names
King of air plants
Genus
Tillandsia Tillandsia
Species
T. xerographica - T. xerographica is a tender, stemless, epiphytic, evergreen perennial with rosettes of stiff, recurved, narrowly triangular, silvery-grey to grey-green leaves and, in spring, spikes of tubular, reddish-purple flowers with large, yellow-green floral bracts and red leaf bracts.
Native to
Central America
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Compact, Rosette
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-green, Reddish-purple in Spring; Reddish-purple, Yellow-green in Summer
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Red spider mite (box and other)
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Detach offsets in spring and attach to bark slabs. Sow seed at 27C in spring on to bundles of conifer twigs or sphagnum moss. Mist seeds and offsets daily.
Propagation methods
Offsets, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Tillandsia xerographica (King of air plants) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Under glass, grow epiphytically by gluing or wiring to a support. Place in bright, indirect light with moderate to high humidity and good ventilation. From spring to autumn, mist daily and immerse in rainwater twice a week, drain well, and allow to dry. Feed with a quarter-strength, low-nitrogen, liquid fertiliser monthly. Outdoors, grow in a tree in moist, partial shade.
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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