Description
About Tillandsia straminea
Tillandsia straminea is a large, fragrant Tillandsia from the dry coast of Peru and Ecuador. Silver leaves grow outward and then fold gracefully down, so a mature plant looks like a silver fountain.
The flowers are pale lilac with a strong, sweet scent, and they open a few at a time over a long period. Because of that, the fragrance lasts for weeks rather than days.
This is our standard form. It grows large, though not as big as our thick leaf form, and it stays more graceful. Smalls are 7 inches, and Mega Giants reach 20 inches tall by 30 inches wide.
The trichome coat is heavy, and the plant tolerates long dry spells. Fog is its main water source in habitat.
Straminea is a display plant and a scent plant in one. Larges and above anchor a fragrant display; smalls give the same scent at a lower price.
Growing Tillandsia straminea: Care Guide
Coastal Peruvian desert means sun, wind and fog. So straminea wants strong light, constant airflow and light watering. It is more likely to die from kindness than neglect. In humid regions, back off the soaks and rely on misting, because the folded leaves hold water at the base far longer than they look.
- Light: Very bright light with direct sun.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 10 to 14 days. Misting suits it between soaks.
- Drying: Invert and shake. Folded 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. Feeding rewards you with more flowers.
- Mounting: Wire large plants to a solid mount, or hang them so the leaves can fold down.
- Pups: Offsets follow bloom. Separate at one third the mother’s size.
Browse our other Fragrant Air Plants, or read the air plant care guide.
