Description
About Tillandsia roezlii
Tillandsia roezlii is a Peruvian species that behaves differently from almost everything else we stock. It is a tank type. Rather than drinking through its leaves alone, it holds a reservoir of water in the cup at its centre, exactly as a bromeliad does.
That habit shapes the plant. The rosette is broad and upright, with wide leaf bases that overlap tightly to form a watertight well. Leaves are thinner and softer than those of the hard silver desert species, with a light trichome coat.
It was named for Benedikt Roezl, the nineteenth century plant collector who worked through Peru and Colombia. A good number of showy South American plants carry his name.
Plants run from around 7 inches in the small grade to over 12 inches in the large. At this price a 12 inch tank-type plant is real value on a retail shelf, and it gives customers something that behaves unlike their other air plants.
Growing Tillandsia roezlii: Care Guide
This is the important part, because roezlii is watered the opposite way to most Tillandsias. Therefore do not soak and invert it.
- Light: Bright indirect light. Some morning sun is fine, but the softer leaves scorch in hard afternoon exposure.
- Water: Keep the central cup topped up. Fill the well at the centre of the rosette and let the plant drink from it, just as you would with a bromeliad.
- Flushing: Empty and refill the cup weekly with fresh water. Standing water left for too long goes stagnant and starts to smell.
- Do not invert: Unlike our xeric species, this plant should never be turned upside down and shaken out. Emptying the cup is the opposite of what it wants.
- Airflow: Good airflow around the foliage. It tolerates humidity well.
- Temperature: Comfortable from 55°F to 95°F. Protect it from frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly in spring and summer with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength, added straight to the cup water.
- Mounting: No soil. Mount or sit it upright so the cup stays level and holds water. An angled mount defeats the whole design.
- Pups: Offsets follow bloom. Separate at one third the size of the mother.
If you stock tank-type plants, roezlii sits naturally alongside our Bromeliads. See our Air Plant Care page for general guidance, or browse our Rare Air Plants for more Peruvian species.
