Description
About Tillandsia funckiana
Tillandsia funckiana is a Venezuelan Tillandsia that grows along a stem rather than as a rosette. Soft, needle-like leaves stand out from the stem, so the plant looks like a green bottle brush.
It grows upright when young and arches as it lengthens. Minis are 1 inch, and XXL plants reach 10 to 12 inches. Medium and large grades may have curled tips, which is natural.
The flowers are bright scarlet, large for the plant, and they open at the stem tips. A clump in bloom is one of the reddest sights in the genus.
Funckiana clumps fast, because it produces offsets along the stem. We sell clumps from small to XXL as well as singles.
At 40 cents it is a volume plant with a premium bloom. Our var. recurvifolia is a stiffer, bristlier form sold separately.
Growing Tillandsia funckiana: Care Guide
Funckiana grows on sunny cliffs in the Venezuelan Andes. So it wants strong light and quick drying, and the fine leaves dry fast. A cool, dry, bright winter rest is what sets the scarlet flowers for spring. Old clumps become tangled and hold water in the middle, so hang them rather than laying them flat, and give a big clump an extra shake after every soak.
- Light: Bright light with direct sun.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 10 to 14 days.
- Drying: Shake and hang. Water runs off the needles.
- Airflow: Good airflow after each soak.
- Temperature: 40°F to 95°F. Cool nights encourage bloom.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: Glue or wire the base to wood and let the stems arch.
- Pups: Along the stem. Leave them on for a clump.
Read our air plant care guide, or browse more Air Plants.
