Xela's Garden
Air plant Tillandsias Ionantha
Back to all plants
Photos of this plant
About this plant
Species: Tillandsias Ionantha.
Set up '08 Vistabile kitchen window-sill
Bought '08 Well End Garden Centre, Wendover for £1.99
It grows at elevations of 450-1,700 meters from Mexico to Nicaragua. It is a most popular species. It is attractive, small and easy to cultivate. In the natural environment it is often exposed to the full intensity of the elements so it is particularly adapted to severe arid conditions. It normally grows in groupings of three to five plants. Sometimes it develops into large clumps that may completely encircle a tree branch. The leaves are lettuce to fern green and sometimes tinged with crimson. This may be part of the plant’s genetic makeup, a result of bright light and humidity, the approach of blooming time, or death.
To make sure the plant is healthy, the centremost leaves should be tugged gently. If they remain intact, the plant is fine. Should they pull out easily, and if the bases of the pulled leaves are brown or black, continue removing the centremost leaves until resistance is felt. What remains should be allowed to dry for a few days, after which the plant can be cultivated in the usual fashion. This will probably result in a number of offsets. The grape violet flowers emerge from the centre of the plant on abbreviated spikes deep within the plant. They are 8 to 10 cm in height and width.
It is a durable species. With its attractiveness and size, the plant is ideal to locate on a kitchen windowsill, where it can receive strong light and be observed frequently.
Gardening Encyclopedia: Ideas Pictures Tips Plants Furniture Miscellany
Other: Gardens to visit Garden colour Buying guides Planting guides
Garden Plants: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Contact us Link to us About us Community Guidelines Terms of Use & Privacy Press Help Sitemap
©2007-2008 growsonyou.com

