0
0Tillandsia ionantha Planch.
- Common name
- Air plant4
- Taxonomy
- Family: Bromeliaceae · Genus: Tillandsia1
- Plant type
- Evergreen, perennial, epiphytic or lithophytic bromeliad; air plant.
- Native distribution
- Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.3
- Natural habitat
- Occurs in tropical dry forests, shrublands, and riparian habitats. As an epiphyte, it lives on trees, and as a lithophyte, it can thrive on rocks and limestone surfaces.
- Height / growth form
- Generally about 12 cm tall and wide, with a dense, rosette growth form. It can form groups over time with offsets.
- Flowering period
- Spring–summer.
- Growth & dormancy period
- Growth is more active during warm, bright periods. I have not found reliable data on a species-specific, obligatory dormancy period.
- Ecology
- An epiphytic or lithophytic bromeliad that can survive without soil. It absorbs water and dissolved nutrients from the air through scales covering its leaves. During flowering, the inner leaves turn red; its flowers can be pollinated by hummingbirds in its natural habitat.
- Conservation status
- LC Least concern (IUCN)
According to the IUCN Red List, the species is categorized as Least Concern (LC). IUCN taxon identifier: 44393060.56 - Synonyms
- 2
3 synonyms
- Pityrophyllum erubescens Beer
- Tillandsia erubescens H.Wendl.
- Tillandsia scopus Hook.f.
Tillandsia ionantha, the air plant, is a species of plant in the genus Tillandsia. This species is native to Central America and Mexico. It is also reportedly naturalized in Broward County, Florida, United States.
Sources (8)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy – Tillandsia ionantha · Scientific name · CC BY 4.0
- GBIF – synonyms · Synonyms · CC BY 4.0
- GBIF – distributions (Catalogue of Life; The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP); The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) · Native distribution · CC BY 4.0
- Wikidata – Q1937140 · CC0
- Wikidata – IUCN Red List status (P141) · Conservation status · CC0
- IUCN Red List · Conservation status
- Wikimedia Commons – Matthaei Botanical Gardens - IMG 8999.JPG · Public domain
- Wikipedia (en) – Tillandsia ionantha · CC BY-SA 4.0
Automatic data comes from the open sources above, credited per their licences. Care experience is shown separately below.
Tips & experience from members
What worked for you? Your plant’s growing conditions are attached automatically, so others can see who it works for.
No tips for this species yet – be the first to share what worked for you!
How members water it
Not enough logs yet: at least 3 plants with regular watering logs are needed (now: 0). Waterings logged in Care feed this – anonymised and aggregated.
How it thrives
Waterlow
Lightfull sun
Humiditymediumgeneral genus data
Min. temperature10 °CNo monthly schedule is shown because cultivar-/species-level data is not yet sufficient. The general values above are guidance only.
Tillandsia tip: Soak it weekly for 20 minutes, then let it dry upside down within 4 hours.
Cultivars of Tillandsia ionantha
Air plant – what to know
Air plant (Tillandsia ionantha) – family: Bromeliaceae, genus: Tillandsia. Native range: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Care guidelines: light: full sun; water: low; min. 10 °C. It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
All Tillandsia species in the catalog →Detailed toxicity data →
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Air plant?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Air plant need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Air plant get?
Keep it above 10 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter.
Is Air plant toxic to cats and dogs?
It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
When does Air plant flower?
According to the general guideline for the genus Tillandsia: Typical flowering time: March, April, May, June.
What members’ data shows
When does it really bloom?
No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!
Average watering interval
Not enough watering logs yet. Waterings logged in the care hub feed this chart.
Questions about this species
Tillandsia
Data sources: GBIF.org – Tillandsia ionantha (CC BY 4.0) · Wikidata – Q1937140 (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons – Matthaei Botanical Gardens - IMG 8999.JPG (Public domain) · Wikipedia – Tillandsia ionantha (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Care data is for guidance only.
Log in to comment.