Bulbous Air Plant
Tillandsia bulbosa
An epiphyte with a distinctively swollen, bulbous base that tapers into long, curling, dark green to purplish leaves covered in fine trichomes.
- Light
- Bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours daily, avoiding harsh direct afternoon sun.
- Water
- Submerge the plant in water for 20 to 30 minutes once a week, then shake off excess water and invert to dry thoroughly. Mist occasionally between waterings if kept in a dry environment.
- Growth
- Perennial epiphyte with a slow to moderate growth rate, reaching 3 to 8 inches in height and a similar spread.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight and good air circulation. Submerge or thoroughly mist the plant weekly, allowing it to dry completely within a few hours to prevent rot. No soil is required.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours daily, avoiding harsh direct afternoon sun.
Watering
Submerge the plant in water for 20 to 30 minutes once a week, then shake off excess water and invert to dry thoroughly. Mist occasionally between waterings if kept in a dry environment.
Soil
Epiphytic plant that grows without soil, typically mounted on wood, cork, or wire, or placed in decorative containers without media.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 9 through 11, strictly sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures.
Growth habit
Perennial epiphyte with a slow to moderate growth rate, reaching 3 to 8 inches in height and a similar spread.
Bloom season
Blooms irregularly, producing a vibrant red or pink floral bract with purple, tubular flowers.
Propagation
Propagated by removing offsets or pups that grow from the base of the parent plant once they reach about one-third the size of the original plant.
Common pests & issues
Prone to crown rot if water remains trapped in the swollen bulbous base for too long. Prevented by shaking the plant upside down after watering.
Similar species
Tillandsia caput-medusae, which has thicker, more twisted leaves and a less defined bulbous base compared to Tillandsia bulbosa.