Description
About Tillandsia butzii
Tillandsia butzii is a slim, spotted species from Mexico and Central America. Thin, tendril-like leaves rise from a narrow bulb, and the leaves and bulb are mottled with dark purple spots.
The spotting is what sets it apart. Seen close, every leaf is patterned, and the pattern deepens in good light.
Smalls are 4 inches, and extra-larges pass 12 inches. It pups readily, so we also offer clumps from three plants to eight or more, with or without hanging wire.
The bloom is a slender spike with violet flowers. It is modest; the foliage is the display.
Butzii is the plant for novelty work. Set it in a sea urchin shell and it becomes a jellyfish, a squid or an octopus, and those pieces sell fast. Buy ten of a size and the price drops further.
Growing Tillandsia butzii: Care Guide
Butzii has smooth, thinly scaled leaves, so it dries out faster and wants more water than a silver plant. Water it weekly, but the hollow bulb must drain after every soak, so invert it and shake until it is empty.
- Light: Bright indirect light. Some morning sun deepens the spots.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 7 days. Mist between soaks in dry air.
- Drying: Invert and shake hard. Drain the bulb completely.
- Airflow: Good airflow after each soak.
- Temperature: 45°F to 95°F. No frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: Glue the bulb into a shell or urchin, or wire it to wood. Never bury the base.
- Pups: Two to four pups from the base after bloom.
Pair it with urchin shells from our Air Plant Accessories, or read our air plant care guide.
