Many-spike air plant
Tillandsia polystachia
Many-spike air plant
- Magnificent epiphyte from tropical America
- Broad, light grey-green to reddish leaves
- Suitable for large rainforest terrariums
Item question
We’re here for you!
Please enter your question and e-mail and we’ll contact you as soon as possible. It usually takes us up to 24 hours during business days to respond.
Thank you for your question!
Thank you, we’ll get in touch!
Close window
You already sent us a question.
Please wait a few minutes
Description
Tillandsia polystachia is a magnificent, large, broad-leaved species of tillandsia with a wide distribution: in Central America from Mexico to Nicaragua, on the Caribbean islands as well as in South America from Colombia to south-eastern Brazil. It occurs as an epiphyte on trees in seasonally dry tropical areas. The linear-triangular leaves can grow up to 60 cm long and up to 3 cm wide at the base and narrow evenly towards the tip. They sit in a spreading rosette of leaves. In nature, water detritus can collect in the leaf axils. However, the plant usually grows to about 30 cm high. The inflorescence is a panicle about 30 cm high with several spikes. Purple flowers appear on these.
Tillandsia polystachia originates from areas with wet and dry seasons, but belongs to the green or rainforest tillandsias, which prefer a more humid environment in cultivation than the so-called grey tillandsias. Higher humidity of at least 60 % with good ventilation is recommended, as well as a bright to semi-shaded place protected from direct sun if it receives daylight. The plant absorbs water and nutrients via suction scales on the leaves, the roots serve mainly as an adhesive organ. The plant can be attached to hard materials such as stone or wood. Watering can be done both by dipping and by misting with soft water about three times a week. Optimally, an orchid and tillandsia fertiliser is added every second watering during spring and summer.
After flowering, the mother plant begins to form small daughter rosettes at the base. These can be carefully separated when they are about one third the size of the mother plant. If they are not separated, they form a cluster of several rosettes.
This rather large, broad-leaved tillandsia can be wonderfully integrated into a large rainforest or moderately humid tropical terrarium. Tillandsia polystachia works best on stronger branches, trunks and the like and, with its daughter rosettes, forms an imposing bush over time that provides a natural hiding place for terrarium animals.
Profile
| Tillandsia polystachia | |
| Cultivation options | Epiphytic |
| Growth height | approx. 30 cm |
| Temperature | approx. 15 - 30 °C |
| Humidity | At least 60 % |
| Light requirement | Bright, in daylight cultivation no direct sun light at noon |
| Watering | Spray every 2 - 3 days with soft, low-lime water, e.g. rainwater, or dip once a week |
| Fertilising | In spring and summer, with every second watering, orchid or Tillandsia fertiliser |
| Propagation | Formation of pups after flowering |
| Suitable for | Rainforest terrariums, moderately humid tropical terrariums |
| Cultivation options |
| Epiphytic |
| Growth height |
| approx. 30 cm |
| Temperature |
| approx. 15 - 30 °C |
| Humidity |
| At least 60 % |
| Light requirement |
| Bright, in daylight cultivation no direct sun light at noon |
| Watering |
| Spray every 2 - 3 days with soft, low-lime water, e.g. rainwater, or dip once a week |
| Fertilising |
| In spring and summer, with every second watering, orchid or Tillandsia fertiliser |
| Propagation |
| Formation of pups after flowering |
| Suitable for |
| Rainforest terrariums, moderately humid tropical terrariums |
Terrarienpflanzen
Our terrarium plants give every terrarium an individual, natural atmosphere and at the same time provide a healthy environment for all terrarium inhabitants. Our wide range of tropical, subtropical and even arid plants are easy to combine and enhance any terrascape. Whether it's strong succulents, subtle tillandsias, eye-catching neoregelias or wonderful orchids - we offer terrarium plants for different terrascapes from rainforest to desert.
General information
Please choose a variant to see more information.
| Item no. |
|
| EAN | |
| Weight | |
| Shipping weight |
Customers ask customers
You have questions about this product? Ask other customer or our support team about this product!