Description
About Tillandsia xerographica
Tillandsia xerographica is called the king of air plants for a reason. The wide silver leaves curl outward and downward in a slow spiral, and a mature plant is a sculpture on its own. It is one of our most popular species.
It comes from the dry forests of southern Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador, where it grows high in trees in full sun. Because of that, it wants less water and more light than almost any other Tillandsia.
Plants grow slowly and live for decades. Ours run from 2-inch pups and seedlings through minis, smalls and mediums to 9-inch giants and larger. Every size sells.
The bloom is a tall branched spike with red bracts and purple flowers, and it lasts for months. The rosette often flushes pink as the spike forms.
For a wholesale buyer, xerographica is the anchor of any air plant display. It carries the highest price per plant, it holds in a shop for months, and customers already know the name.
Growing Tillandsia xerographica: Care Guide
Xerographica is xeric. It stores water in its thick leaves, and it rots if it stays wet. Therefore water less than you think, and give it more light than you think. The name means “dry writing,” and the plant lives up to it.
- Light: High, bright light with some direct sun. Weak light makes it green and loose.
- Water: Soak 20 to 30 minutes every 10 to 14 days. Less in cool weather.
- Drying: Invert and shake hard. The cupped leaves hold water at the base.
- Airflow: Strong airflow after each soak.
- Temperature: 40°F to 100°F. It handles heat well.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength.
- Mounting: No mount needed. Set it in a bowl or on a stand from our Air Plant Displays.
- Pups: One to three pups after bloom, slowly. Separate at one third the mother’s size.
Read our air plant care guide, or browse more Air Plants.
