Tillandsia streptophylla

Tillandsia streptophylla Care

Tillandsia streptophylla

What is the plant

Nicknamed the Shirley Temple due to its curling leaves, the Tillandsia streptophylla is a stunning xeric air plant. Native to Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies, it thrives in low humidity areas due to its abundance of trichomes.

Tillandsia Streptophylla is the Queen of air plants. It is a xeric tillandsia, which means it grows in drier conditions. This species is native to Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico and thrives in warm regions. Tillandsia Streptophylla is also known as Shirley Temple because of its curly ringlet leaves. It grows in warmer regions, usually at elevation. The leaves of the plant are pastel green in color. Instead of the edges of the leaves curling closer to each other, the leaves curl back into tighter ringlets when they need water. They grow 6-8 inches tall and grow a beautiful pink florescence covered with trichomes. The size of the florescence ranges from 4 to 12 inches when it has completely opened up. Since it grows in warm and dry regions, it requires low to moderate watering and little maintenance.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Soak your Tillandsia streptophylla once a week in a bowl of water for 10 minutes each time. You can also mist your plant with a spray bottle 2-3 times a week if it needs more water between the soakings. Tillandsia absorbs water through its leaves instead of roots. So flip them upside-down when you give them a bath. Gently shake off any excessive water from the leaves of the air plant after each watering. Place your air plant somewhere with good air circulation to dry them completely within 4 hours of watering.
Fertilizer
Fertilize air plants once or twice a month with a water-soluble orchid or tillandsia fertilizer, following package instructions for dilution. Use the misting or dunking method. These special fertilizers do not contain urea nitrogen, which air plants cannot use.
Sunlight
Although Tillandsia streptophylla can bask in direct sunlight for a few hours, it's best to give the plant indirect sunlight. Excess amount of direct sunlight can develop burn marks on the plant.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
This plant doesn`t require potting medium. They can be tucked into shells and driftwood crevices, glass baubles and wire baskets, or superglue their roots to stones or wood.
Temperature
The appropriate range of temperature for Tillandsia streptophylla is 50-95°F. A warm environment is most appropriate for this species.
Popularity
34 people already have this plant 23 people have added this plant to their wishlists