Description
About Tillandsia neglecta
Tillandsia neglecta is a hardy species from the coastal mountains of Brazil, where it grows on rocky slopes in full sun. It is very prolific and very easy.
The leaves are stiff, thick and succulent, arranged in a tight rosette along a short stem. They are grey-green, and they flush pink to red in strong light.
The bloom is a short spike of pink bracts with blue-violet flowers, and it appears on plants only a couple of inches across.
We grade it from 1-inch minis and 1.5-to-2-inch smalls through mediums and larges to 5-to-6-inch extra-larges.
Neglecta rewards you with a large clump over a relatively short time. At 40 cents it is one of the cheapest species we grow, and one of the quickest to turn a single into a saleable ball.
Growing Tillandsia neglecta: Care Guide
Sunny Brazilian rock means neglecta wants strong light, quick drying and a soak every week or two. The succulent leaves store water, so it tolerates drought, and it colours best in full sun. It also handles cool nights, because its home mountains get chilly in winter. The tight rosette holds water between the leaves, so invert it and shake after each soak, and give a clump a longer drying time in moving air. Feed it through the growing season and the pups come faster; a clump doubles in a season under good light.
- Light: Full sun to very bright light. Sun brings the pink.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 7 to 14 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake. Tight leaves hold water.
- Airflow: Good airflow after each soak.
- Temperature: 35°F to 95°F. It tolerates brief light frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: Glue to rock, cork or wood. It looks natural on stone.
- Pups: Frequent. Clumps build fast.
Browse more Air Plants, or read our air plant care guide.
