1
0Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L.
- Taxonomy
- Family: Bromeliaceae · Genus: Tillandsia1
- Plant type
- Perennial, evergreen, epiphytic atmospheric bromeliad. Develops long, thin, branching, drooping shoots. Narrow, cylindrical, silvery-gray leaves densely cover the shoots. Mature specimens do not have true roots.
- Native distribution
- Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical or subtropical areas of South America.uncertain3
- Natural habitat
- Occurs in humid tropical and subtropical forests, along rivers and lakes, in swampy areas, gallery forests, and mountainous forests. Primarily an epiphytic plant hanging from tree branches.
- Height / growth form
- Drooping, branching, beard-like growth atmospheric bromeliad. Shoots can grow several meters long, and under favorable conditions can reach 4–8 meters. Tiny, cylindrical, silvery-gray leaves cover it.
- Flowering period
- Blooms in late spring or autumn. Develops small, fragrant, yellow-green or pale blue flowers.
- Growth & dormancy period
- Evergreen, perennial plant. Can grow year-round under suitable moisture and light conditions. Growth is primarily influenced by environmental humidity, precipitation, and temperature. No documented specific winter dormancy period.
- Ecology
- Epiphytic bromeliad that primarily hangs from tree branches. In its mature state, it is rootless. It absorbs atmospheric moisture and water-soluble nutrients through trichomes covering the shoots. It performs CAM photosynthesis, allowing it to survive drier periods.
- Conservation status
- LC Least concern (IUCN)
Listed as LC (Least Concern – not threatened) on the IUCN Red List. It has an extremely wide natural distribution. Some local populations may be threatened by deforestation and excessive collection.56 - Synonyms
- 2
23 synonyms
- Dendropogon usneoides (L.) Raf.
- Renealmia usneoides L.
- Strepsia usneoides (L.) Nutt.
- Strepsia usneoides (L.) Nutt. ex Steud.
- Tillandsia crinita Willd.
- Tillandsia crinita Willd. ex Beer
- Tillandsia filiformis Lodd.
- Tillandsia filiformis Lodd. ex Schult. & Schult.f.
- Tillandsia trichodes Kunth
- Tillandsia trichoides Kunth
- Tillandsia usneoides cretacea Mez
- Tillandsia usneoides crispa André
- Tillandsia usneoides ferruginea André
- Tillandsia usneoides filiformis André
- Tillandsia usneoides genuina André
- Tillandsia usneoides longissima André
- Tillandsia usneoides major André
- Tillandsia usneoides robusta É.Morren ex Mez
- Tillandsia usneoides robusta E.Morren
- Tillandsia usneoides cretacea (Mez) Mez
- Tillandsia usneoides ferruginea (André) A.Cast.
- Tillandsia usneoides ferruginea (André) Mez
- Tillandsia usneoides filiformis (André) Mez
Sources (10)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy – Tillandsia usneoides · Scientific name · CC BY 4.0
- GBIF – synonyms · Synonyms · CC BY 4.0
- GBIF – distributions (Especies acuáticas y semiacuáticas de humedales interiores de Colombia derivado de información secundaria; Integrated Ta) · Native distribution · CC BY 4.0
- Wikidata – Q311524 · CC0
- Wikidata – IUCN Red List status (P141) · Conservation status · CC0
- IUCN Red List · Conservation status
- Wikimedia Commons – Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) (25004066956).jpg · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Wikipedia (hu) – Zuzmószerű szakállbromélia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wikipedia (de) – Tillandsia usneoides · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wikipedia (en) – Spanish moss · 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. temperature5 °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.
Tillandsia usneoides – what to know
Tillandsia usneoides – family: Bromeliaceae, genus: Tillandsia. Native range: Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical or subtropical areas of South America. Care guidelines: light: full sun; water: low; min. 5 °C. One Perfect Plants Club member grows it (0 photos). 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 Tillandsia usneoides?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Tillandsia usneoides need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Tillandsia usneoides get?
Keep it above 5 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter.
Is Tillandsia usneoides toxic to cats and dogs?
It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
When does Tillandsia usneoides 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.
Who grows it?
Questions about this species
Tillandsia
Data sources: GBIF.org – Tillandsia usneoides (CC BY 4.0) · Wikidata – Q311524 (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons – Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) (25004066956).jpg (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikipedia – Zuzmószerű szakállbromélia (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Care data is for guidance only.
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