Description
About Tillandsia comarapaensis
Tillandsia comarapaensis is named for Comarapa, a town in the dry valleys of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It is a compact silver species, and we have grown it here for many years.
The leaves are narrow, stiff and heavily scaled, so the plant looks frosted even when dry. The rosette stays neat, and singles run from 2 to 5 inches wide.
The inflorescence is the reason to stock it. The spike is coated in the same white scales as the leaves, so it looks frosted too. Small violet flowers open along it.
It is rarely offered in the trade. Because we have a long-established stock, we can supply it in three sizes rather than a handful of singles.
Comarapaensis is also easy. It tolerates neglect, and it stays tidy on a shelf for months. That combination of rarity and ease is hard to find.
Growing Tillandsia comarapaensis: Care Guide
Bolivian dry valleys mean strong sun and low humidity. So treat it as a xeric plant. It is also slow to show stress, so a missed watering does no harm. In a wholesale setting that patience is worth money, because plants hold their looks between sales.
- Light: Bright light with direct sun for part of the day.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 10 to 14 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake. Then dry in moving air.
- Airflow: Good airflow after each soak.
- Temperature: 40°F to 95°F. It handles cool nights well.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: Glue to cork or wood. Small plants suit shells and holders from our Air Plant Displays.
- Pups: Pups from the base after bloom. Leave them on for a silver cluster.
Browse more Rare Air Plants, or see our air plant care guide.
