GENERAL Tillandsia Care
Once you receive your Tillandsias they will benefit from a 2-3 hour soaking in good water (we recommend drinking water) as their journey can be stressful. Lower leaves that have naturally died back can be easily removed by pulling them down towards the base of the plant.
Outdoor Care Instructions
Light
Tillandsias grow best in bright indirect or filtered light April through October. In our San Diego climate we use 60% shade cloth in full exposure year round. Early morning or later evening direct sun is OK in mild environments. They can typically handle more direct sun November through March.
Water
When watering, completely drench your Tillandsias as misting alone can be insufficient. They like to be watered 2-3 times per week on average, however in a dry, hot climate they may want to be watered as much as 2 times per day. Conversely, in moist cool environment one watering per week or two will suffice. If your Tillandsias become too dry or desiccated they will benefit from an occasional soaking in a bucket of water overnight (do not do this with Tillandsia xerographica, streptophylla, or magnusiana as we have found it can cause leaf damage). However, for routine watering they should be able to dry out in 4 hours or less to avoid rotting. We prefer to use reverse osmosis water with a dilute solution of fertilizer every time we water, though drinking water is also good. Do not use R.O. water or distilled water without adding some fertilizer as this water by it’s self can be harmful to Tillandsias.
Temperature
Tillandsias can be kept outdoors year round, which they prefer, only if protected from frost/freezing. Optimum temperature range is between 60 and 90 degrees F.
Fertilizer
Tillandsias can survive without fertilizer, though a plant benefiting from a fertilizer regimen will grow, bloom, and produce offsets (pups) more vigorously. A Bromeliad or Tillandsia fertilizer should be used 1-4 times per month at at various strengths depending on frequency. We recommend using our fertilizer that has been developed specifically for Tillandsias by us. Check out our fertilizer! Click here
Indoor Care instructions
Indoor care is similar to outdoor care. To get enough light, Tillandsias should be within 3-6 feet of a window that will provide adequate light. It is often dryer indoors so more water may be required. They should dry out within 4 hours of a watering unless you are re hydrating them with an overnight soaking. It is easiest to water indoor plants by dunking them in a bucket of good water.
It is most important to know that there is no single recipe on how to care for these plants. Your growing environment is very likely different from the one in which we grow them in. If you are new to caring for Tillandsias we suggest experimenting to see what works best for you. Tillandsias are very adaptable plants with an incredible will to survive. As long as their minimum requirements of light, airflow, temperature, and water are met they will do well.