Description
About Tillandsia victoriana
Tillandsia victoriana is a hybrid of Tillandsia ionantha and Tillandsia brachycaulos. It has the compact rosette of ionantha and the size and soft leaves of brachycaulos.
It is a fast grower, and it clumps quickly. Smalls are 3 inches, and extra-larges pass 6 inches, with specimens beyond that.
The colour is the reason to grow it. At bloom the whole plant flushes hot pink, and violet flowers open from the centre. Current stock is green and not yet in blush.
Both parents are Central American and easy, and the hybrid is easier than either. It tolerates the mistakes new growers make.
Victoriana is a good step up from ionantha for shops. It gives a bigger plant and a stronger colour show at a small-plant price, and it makes clumps that sell as finished pieces.
Growing Tillandsia victoriana: Care Guide
Brachycaulos likes water and ionantha likes light, so the hybrid takes the middle road: bright light with some sun, a weekly soak, and a full dry-out. Unlike pure brachycaulos, it does not want water left in the centre. Because it grows fast, victoriana responds to feeding more than most; a monthly feed through spring and summer noticeably speeds clumping, and clumps sell for more than the singles that went into them. Plants are sturdy enough for retail display.
- Light: Bright light with some direct sun. Sun brings the pink.
- Water: Soak 20 minutes every 7 to 10 days.
- Drying: Invert and shake. Do not leave water in the rosette.
- Airflow: Good airflow after each soak.
- Temperature: 45°F to 95°F. No frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer. Feeding deepens the colour.
- Mounting: Glue to wood or set in a holder from our Air Plant Displays.
- Pups: Two to four pups after bloom. Clumps build fast.
Read our air plant care guide, or browse more Air Plants.
