Description
About Tillandsia nidus
Tillandsia nidus is a naturally occurring hybrid of Tillandsia fasciculata and Tillandsia ionantha. It has the size and stiff leaves of fasciculata with the compact rosette and blush of ionantha.
The leaves are long, slender and slightly curved, and they grow in a dense rosette. The colour is silver-green, and mature plants reach 10 to 12 inches.
At bloom the centre flushes red and a branched spike rises with red bracts and purple flowers. The display lasts for weeks.
We grade nidus in three sizes, from 3-inch smalls to 9-inch larges. It grows quickly for its size.
Nidus gives a display the presence of a large plant at a small-plant price. It is easy, and it is a good step up for customers who have outgrown ionanthas.
Growing Tillandsia nidus: Care Guide
Fasciculata likes regular water and ionantha is forgiving, so the hybrid is a mesic plant that tolerates mistakes. Give it bright light for the blush, water it weekly, and let it dry fully. The dense rosette holds water at the base. It is more forgiving than pure fasciculata, which resents drying out, and more robust than pure ionantha, which stays small. A large nidus in bloom fills a display bowl on its own, so give it room.
- Light: Bright light with some direct sun.
- 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. Feeding supports the size.
- Mounting: Wire to wood, or set larges in a bowl.
- Pups: Two to four pups after bloom.
Browse more Air Plants, or see our air plant care guide.
