Tillandsia bulbosa

A bulbous air plant of tropical America

Tillandsia bulbosa is native across tropical America and was published by William Jackson Hooker in 1825. Its swollen base looks like a bulb but is formed by overlapping leaf bases around a compact stem. The chambered base can shelter ants and other small canopy animals.

Wild plants attach to trees and shrubs in wet tropical vegetation, sending twisting leaves out into humid air. Specialised scales across the leaves gather water and dissolved nutrients from rain, mist and washed organic debris. The roots hold the plant against bark while water drains from the branch. Its contorted leaves and inflated base are closely linked to this tree-growing life.

Care for air plants without potting mix

Repotting

There is no conventional repotting. After flowering, the mother rosette gradually produces offsets.

Light

Place Tillandsia bulbosa close to an east- or north-east-facing window, or slightly back from brighter south and west glass. A little soft morning sun is useful after acclimation, but hot midday exposure can scorch the greener, smoother leaves and overheat the swollen base.

Watering

Thoroughly wet the whole plant with low-mineral water once it is fully dry and the leaves begin to feel less supple. A short immersion or complete rinse is suitable.

Temperature

Maintain steady indoor warmth and protect the plant from chilling temperatures. Direct heater air can dry leaf tips excessively, although steady warm airflow after watering is useful.

Humidity and airflow

Moderate household humidity suits this greener, more mesic air plant and moderate to high humidity can reduce tip drying. Air exchange is essential around the swollen base before and after watering.

Fertilising

During active growth, add an air-plant or bromeliad fertiliser at a very low dose according to the product label to an occasional full wetting. Use less if the water already contains dissolved nutrients.

A bulbous base without trapped water

• The base is rounded and the leaves twist like tentacles: This swollen base and the narrow curling leaves are normal for Tillandsia bulbosa. It is not a true bulb and does not need to be planted in soil.
• The base becomes black, soft or pulls apart: Water has probably remained between the hollow leaf bases for too long. Remove decayed material, keep the plant warm with good airflow and always drain it upside down after watering.
• Leaf tips dry while the base stays firm: It may be drying too hard between waterings. Rehydrate it thoroughly, shake out all trapped water and adjust frequency to the room’s heat and airflow, and drain all moisture from the swollen base.
• A bloom fades and small offsets appear: Producing pups after flowering is the normal bromeliad life cycle. Keep caring for the clump while the mother rosette declines gradually; separate pups only once they are well established.

Tillandsia bulbosa is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

Tillandsia bulbosa: where the name comes from

Tillandsia honours the Finnish physician and botanist Elias Tillandz. The Latin epithet bulbosa means bulbous, referring to the swollen, bulb-like base.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Tillandsia in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 286.

William Jackson Hooker first described Tillandsia bulbosa in 1825 in Exotic Flora, plate 173.