Description
About Tillandsia zacapanensis
Tillandsia zacapanensis takes its name from Zacapa, the hot dry valley in eastern Guatemala where it grows. That valley is one of the most arid places in Central America, and the plant is built for it.
The rosette is broad and symmetrical, built from stiff grey leaves that taper to fine recurving tips. Trichome cover is heavy, giving a consistent silver finish rather than a green cast.
At bloom it sends up a spike with rose and pink bracts. The contrast against the silver foliage is what sells the plant, and the bracts stay coloured for a long stretch.
Because it grows into a genuinely large rosette, we offer it across several sizes. Larger plants reach 12 to 14 inches and work well as a single retail feature.
Growing Tillandsia zacapanensis: Care Guide
This is a hot, dry valley species. Therefore it wants heat, light and restraint with the watering can.
- Light: Very bright light. It handles more direct sun than most Tillandsias, and colour suffers in shade.
- Water: Soak 20 to 30 minutes every 10 to 14 days. In cooler months, stretch that interval further.
- Drying: Turn it over and shake it out. The broad leaf bases cup water against the stem.
- Airflow: Strong airflow, particularly in humid climates where it is least at home.
- Temperature: Loves heat. Comfortable from 60°F right up to 100°F. No frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly in spring and summer with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer. Better-fed plants produce stronger bract colour.
- Mounting: No soil. Large plants need wiring rather than glue, because the rosette gets heavy.
- Pups: Offsets appear at the base after flowering. Separate at one third the size of the mother.
See our Air Plant Care page for general guidance, or browse our Rare Air Plants for more Guatemalan species.
