Description
About Tillandsia juncifolia
Tillandsia juncifolia is a grass-like Tillandsia from Mexico and Central America, close to Tillandsia juncea. It differs in its lime-green colour and its smooth, fine leaf tips.
The leaves are thin and upright, and they rise from a narrow base like a tuft of rush. Smalls stand 4 inches, mediums 7, larges 9 and extra-larges 12 to 14 inches.
Some small juncifolias blush to a dark purple, almost black, when exposed to high bright light. This is normal growth, and it does not affect the plant.
The base of juncifolia, like juncea, is naturally darker than the leaves, which is also normal and not a sign of rot.
The bloom is a slender spike with red bracts and violet flowers. Juncifolia is a height plant for arrangements, and at $1 it is the cheapest way to add a vertical line to a display.
Growing Tillandsia juncifolia: Care Guide
Juncifolia has thin, green leaves with few trichomes, so it wants more water than a silver plant and less harsh sun. Soak it weekly, then stand it upside down to drain, because the tuft holds water at the base and the base is the one place it can rot. Bright light with morning sun keeps it compact; strong afternoon sun darkens small plants to that near-black colour, which some buyers like and some do not. Good airflow matters more than most, because the tight base dries slowly. Feed it monthly and it grows fast.
- Light: Bright light with morning sun. Strong sun darkens it.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 7 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake. Drain the base of the tuft.
- 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: Wire the base upright to wood, or stand it in a tall holder from our Air Plant Displays.
- Pups: Two to four pups from the base after bloom.
Read our air plant care guide, or browse more Air Plants.
