Description
About Tillandsia seleriana
Tillandsia seleriana is a bulbous species from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. The base swells into a hollow bulb, and the whole plant is coated in silver trichomes that hold water for weeks.
In the wild the bulb houses ant colonies, and the ants defend the plant in return. In cultivation the bulb is simply the plant’s water tank and its most striking feature.
Leaves are thick and grey, and they twist upward from the bulb. Minis are 3 inches; specimens pass 12 inches, and those are limited.
The bloom is a pink spike with violet flowers, and the leaf tips flush red around it. Some older plants carry a little green algae on the lower leaves, which is harmless.
Seleriana is a favourite for craft and display work. The bulb gives it a base to glue or wire, and the silver colour holds under shop lighting. It is a collectible at every size.
Growing Tillandsia seleriana: Care Guide
Everything about seleriana comes back to the bulb. It stores water, so the plant tolerates drought. It also traps water, so the plant rots if not drained. Soak, invert, shake, and it is one of the easiest plants we grow. It also tolerates low humidity better than most bulbous species, so it holds up indoors in winter heating.
- Light: Bright light with some direct sun.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 10 to 14 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake hard. Keep upside down until the bulb is dry.
- 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: Glue or wire the bulb to wood. Never set it bulb-down in water.
- Pups: One to three pups from the base after bloom.
Read our air plant care guide, or browse more Air Plants.
