Description
About Tillandsia aeranthos purple
Tillandsia aeranthos purple is a coloured form of Tillandsia aeranthos, a hardy species from southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Under continually bright light it holds a purple blush all year.
The leaves are stiff and grey, arranged along a short stem in a neat rosette. Mature plants reach about 6 inches wide.
The bloom is spectacular: bright pink bracts with deep blue-violet flowers, on a short spike above the leaves. It is one of the classic air plant blooms.
It is also very prolific. A mother plant can produce more than ten offsets before it is spent, so clumps build quickly.
We grade it from 2-inch smalls to 6-inch larges, plus clumps of three or four plants. Our nigra form is the darker, near-black version; purple is the one that keeps colour without going that far.
Growing Tillandsia aeranthos purple: Care Guide
Colour depends on light, so put it in the brightest spot you have. Aeranthos is tough, tolerates cool weather and even light frost, and it forgives neglect. Give it sun, a soak every couple of weeks, and airflow. Plants held in shade go green within a few weeks, which is worth telling retail staff, because the purple colour is the reason a customer picks this one over the plain aeranthos. Moved back into sun, the colour returns.
- Light: Full sun to very bright light. Shade turns it green.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 10 to 14 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake. Stacked leaves hold water between layers.
- Airflow: Good airflow after each soak.
- Temperature: 35°F to 95°F. It tolerates brief light frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: Glue or wire to wood. Clumps hang well.
- Pups: Ten or more over the mother’s life. Leave them on.
Browse more Air Plants, or read our air plant care guide.
