Ball Moss
Tillandsia recurvata
An epiphyte forming ball-like clumps of curved, narrow, grayish-green leaves covered in tiny scales that absorb moisture from the air.
- Light
- Bright, indirect light to partial shade, approximately 6 to 8 hours daily.
- Water
- Mist or soak every few days depending on ambient humidity. Never keep roots in standing water or soil.
- Growth
- Perennial epiphyte forming dense, spherical clusters ranging from a few inches to a foot across, growing slowly.
Care instructions
Grow as an epiphyte mounted on bark or wood without soil. Provide bright, indirect light and high humidity. Mist thoroughly several times a week or submerge in water briefly, allowing complete drying between waterings to prevent moisture retention at the core.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright, indirect light to partial shade, approximately 6 to 8 hours daily.
Watering
Mist or soak every few days depending on ambient humidity. Never keep roots in standing water or soil.
Soil
None required; grown epiphytically on branches, bark, or mounted surfaces rather than in traditional soil.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 11, requiring frost-free environments.
Growth habit
Perennial epiphyte forming dense, spherical clusters ranging from a few inches to a foot across, growing slowly.
Bloom season
Blooms in spring to early summer, producing small, inconspicuous purplish-blue flowers on slender scapes.
Propagation
Propagated by separating offsets or 'pups' that form around the base of the mature cluster.
Common pests & issues
Generally resistant to pests and diseases, but susceptible to rot if allowed to remain continuously wet without adequate air circulation.
Similar species
Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides), which has a hanging, pendant growth habit rather than forming compact spherical balls.