Description
About Tillandsia marconae
Tillandsia marconae is a Tillandsia from the coastal desert of southern Peru, named for the Marcona area of the Ica region. It is a soft-leaved, nearly white species, and one of the palest plants we grow.
The leaves are thin, flexible and heavily coated in trichomes, and they arch outward in a loose rosette along a short stem. A clump reads as a soft white cloud.
The flowers are purple and three-petalled, and they open out of the sides of a slender bloom spike rather than at its tip.
It is a slow grower, but the results are worth the wait. We sell good-sized clumps of about 6 inches or more, each with multiple mini offsets, as pictured, at $12.
Marconae is a plant for the white end of a silver collection. It contrasts with green and grey species, and a clump in a dark bowl is a striking piece on its own.
Growing Tillandsia marconae: Care Guide
The Peruvian coast gets almost no rain; plants there live on fog, wind and sun. Marconae wants a brightly lit spot with good air circulation, light watering and fast drying, and it is easy as long as it is never left wet. A mist every few days suits it better than long soaks, with a short dip every couple of weeks in dry weather. The soft leaves mark if they are handled wet, so let a clump dry before moving it. Slow growth means a clump keeps its shape for a long time, which makes it a good display plant for a shop.
- Light: Very bright light with direct sun.
- Water: Mist every few days; dip 10 minutes every 10 to 14 days.
- Drying: Shake and hang. Soft leaves hold water at the base.
- Airflow: Strong airflow always.
- Temperature: 40°F to 95°F. Cool nights are welcome.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: Wire the clump and hang it, or set it in a bowl from our Air Plant Displays.
- Pups: Slow. Leave the mini offsets on the clump.
Browse more Air Plants, or read our air plant care guide.
