Sky Plant
Tillandsia ionantha
A small epiphyte with stiff, silver-green leaves covered in microscopic scales called trichomes, arranged in a tight rosette.
- Light
- Bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours daily; avoid intense, direct afternoon sun.
- Water
- Submerge in room temperature water for 20 to 30 minutes once a week, or mist thoroughly 2 to 3 times per week. Shake off excess water to prevent rotting.
- Growth
- Perennial epiphyte forming compact rosette clusters up to 3 to 5 inches tall and wide, with a slow growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight. Mist thoroughly or submerge in water weekly, ensuring the plant dries completely within a few hours. Mount on wood or decorative surfaces without soil.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours daily; avoid intense, direct afternoon sun.
Watering
Submerge in room temperature water for 20 to 30 minutes once a week, or mist thoroughly 2 to 3 times per week. Shake off excess water to prevent rotting.
Soil
No soil required; typically grown mounted on wood, cork, or stones, or placed in open glass terrariums with good air circulation.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 when grown outdoors; primarily grown indoors in cooler regions.
Growth habit
Perennial epiphyte forming compact rosette clusters up to 3 to 5 inches tall and wide, with a slow growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms sporadically, typically in spring or summer, producing tubular violet-blue flowers emerging from bright red or pink bracts.
Propagation
Propagated by separating offsets (pups) that form around the base of the parent plant once they reach about one-third the size of the mature plant.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to rotting if water becomes trapped in the center of the rosette for too long. Dehydration manifests as curling, inward-folding leaves.
Similar species
Tillandsia brachycaulos, which has softer, wider, bright green leaves that do not feature the dense silver trichomes of Tillandsia ionantha.