With more than 550 species, the fascinating Tillandsia genus leaves us spoiled for choice. Botanists differentiate between green rainforest tillandsias and gray desert tillandsias. We have looked around among the best breeders and put together a selection of the most beautiful species and varieties for you.
Which Tillandsia species should you know?
The most beautiful Tillandsia species include the gray desert Tillandsias such as Tillandsia xerographica and Tillandsia fuchsii var.gracilis, as well as the green rainforest tillandsias such as Tillandsia cyanea and Tillandsia albertiana. They impress with their extraordinary appearance and attractive flowers.
Grey desert tillandsias – spectacular and easy to care for
The following Tillandsia species owe their name to their delicate, gray hairs. In their subtropical and tropical habitats, they absorb the morning dew on epiphytes via this route. When placed on a bright windowsill, care is limited to regular spraying with soft water. From March to September, liquid fertilizer (€9.00 on Amazon) is added to the spray water, because the nutrients also reach the inside of the plant via the fine hairs.
- Tillandsia xerographica impresses as a majestic exotic plant with a height of up to 30 cm and a silver shimmer
- Tillandsia fuchsii var. gracilis develops a dense tuft of leaves made of countless, delicate leaves
- Tillandsia capillaris 'holgeri' is one of the most robust species and can withstand light frost down to -5 degrees Celsius
- Tillandsia usneoides attracts everyone's attention as Spanish moss with its long, tightly interwoven shoots
- Tillandsia balbisiana prefers to present its orange-red flowers in a hanging position
The Tillandsia caput-medusae is one of the top-class species within the diverse family of species. The Medusa head boasts snake-like leaves and a height of up to 40 cm. Its narrow tubular flowers are colored blue-red and appear in early summer. When tied to wood or stone, the distinctive tillandsia acts as a living decoration in bright, humid places.
Green rainforest tillandsias – beautiful species for the windowsill
Green Tillandsia species thrive primarily in the rainforest. They are flexible because they grow both epiphytically and terrestrially in low-light, moist locations. You can cultivate the following varieties in a pot or attach them to a base without any substrate to decorate the east and west windows:
- Tillandsia cyanea, one of the most beautiful species with magnificent flowers and uncomplicated care
- Tillandsia albertiana, a typical rainforest beauty with strong, green leaves and red flowers
- Tillandsia (Catopsis) morreniana grows bushy and compact with a height of 12 to 15 cm
- Tillandsia bulbosa has delicate leaves sprouting from an onion-shaped trunk
The Tillandsia floribunda cannot be missing from this multifaceted species overview. This unusual species produces several flowers that rise above a dense tuft of leaves. Tillandsia punctulata thrives in a similarly furious manner, delighting us with a red-green inflorescence surrounded by purple bracts. With a growth height of up to 50 cm, this splendor cannot be overlooked even in areas with poor light.
Tip
Is your tillandsia keeping the longed-for blooms under wraps? Then place a fully ripe apple next to the hesitant exotic and ideally put a transparent cap over it. The fruit emits the ripening gas ethylene, which causes the tillandsia to bloom within a short time.
