Description
About Tillandsia ionantha rubra
Tillandsia ionantha rubra is a broad-leaved form of Tillandsia ionantha. The leaves are slightly wider than the Guatemala form, so the rosette looks fuller and a little more open.
Like every ionantha, it is hardy and easy. It tolerates bright direct sun in most climates and low shade indoors, and it blushes red and opens violet flowers at bloom.
It clusters quickly after flowering, and a single becomes a saleable clump within one or two years.
We grade rubra from minis to giants, plus small and medium clumps. We also sell it by the pound, and there are sale grades of medium and large plants with minor marks.
Rubra is the ionantha to stock when you want a slightly bigger, fuller plant than Guatemala at nearly the same price. The pound option suits bulk craft and event buyers.
Growing Tillandsia ionantha rubra: Care Guide
Care is standard ionantha care, and rubra is if anything a little more tolerant of shade than fuego. Give it light for colour, water it weekly, and let it dry fully. The wider leaves hold a little more water at the base, so shake it well. Plants bought by the pound arrive loose; spread them out on a screen for a day before they go on a shelf, so any that were damp in transit can dry.
- Light: Bright light with some direct sun. It tolerates shade.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 7 to 10 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake. Drain the leaf bases.
- 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 to shells, wood or holders. Bulk plants sit well loose in a bowl.
- Pups: Two to four pups after bloom.
Browse more Air Plants, or see our air plant care guide.
