Description
About Tillandsia caput-medusae
Tillandsia caput-medusae is named for the head of Medusa, and the leaves explain why. They twist out of a bulbous base in every direction like snakes, and no two plants look alike.
It comes from Mexico and Central America, where it grows on trees in seasonally dry forest. The base is hollow, and ants often live in it in the wild.
Grey-green leaves carry a silver coat, and they curl tighter when the plant is kept dry. In spring and early summer a branched red spike rises with violet flowers.
We grade it from 2-inch seedlings and minis through smalls and mediums to giants. Some grades may have curled leaves or short tentacles, which look smaller but are the same plant. A sale grade of larges with leaf marks is available.
Caput-medusae is one of the best-known air plants, and one of the most versatile in design. The tendrils work in shells, on driftwood and in jellyfish and octopus novelties.
Growing Tillandsia caput-medusae: Care Guide
It tolerates high, bright light, and the bulb holds water, so it wants less water than it looks. The one rule is to drain the bulb after every soak. Kept bright and dry, the tendrils curl hardest and the plant looks its best.
- Light: Bright light with direct sun for part of the day.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 7 to 10 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake hard. Keep it upside down until the bulb is empty.
- 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 or wire the bulb to wood or a shell. Never bury the base.
- Pups: One to three pups from the base after bloom.
Browse more Air Plants, or read our air plant care guide.
