Tillandsia harrisii

Tillandsia harrisii in its natural habitat

Tillandsia harrisii is found naturally only in Guatemala, where it grows in exposed rocky cliff habitats.

Rocky cliff sites give the plant strong light and steady air movement, so the rosette dries quickly after rain or dew.

Keeping Tillandsia harrisii healthy indoors

• Light: Give very bright light and introduce direct sun gradually.
• Humidity: Moderate humidity is suitable, with good ventilation after every watering.
• Water: Thoroughly soak or rinse the whole rosette, then wait until it has dried before watering again.
• Drying: After watering, shake out excess water and turn the rosette sideways or upside down until trapped water has drained from between the overlapping leaves.
• Airflow: Keep it in a spot with good airflow so moisture does not stay trapped between the overlapping leaves.
• Temperature: Keep it warm and bright. If temperatures approach 12 °C, avoid leaving a freshly watered rosette cold and damp; make sure it can dry promptly.
• Display: Rest or mount it on a dry, open support without soil. Avoid deep bowls, packed moss or other displays that block air around the base.
• Feeding: Use a very dilute bromeliad or orchid fertiliser occasionally during active growth, added to the water when you water the plant.
• After flowering: A rosette flowers only once, then slowly dies back while the offsets keep growing. Remove the old rosette only once it is fully dry.
• Offsets: Allow pups to remain with the mother for a fuller plant. If you want separate plants, wait until the offsets are well developed before detaching them.

Common problems with Tillandsia harrisii and how to solve them

• The centre or lower leaves turn dark brown or black and become soft: The rosette has stayed wet for too long. Improve ventilation, let it dry fully and remove only loose rotten tissue with a disinfected tool; discard the removed material.
• Leaf tips become dry and sharply brittle: The plant is drying out too quickly. Water more thoroughly or check more often, and raise humidity if the room is very dry.
• One side develops pale, papery patches: The plant has likely been scorched by sudden direct sun or hot glass. Move it back to bright indirect light and increase direct sun gradually.
• Cottony clumps or small hard bumps appear between the leaves: Check for mealybugs or scale. Isolate the plant, remove small colonies carefully and, if treatment is needed, use a product labelled for the identified pest and ornamental houseplants; follow the label exactly, including its repeat interval.

If the problem is unclear or continues to worsen after the likely cause is corrected, send us clear photos of the whole plant and the affected area so we can help identify it.

Tillandsia harrisii 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.

What does the name Tillandsia harrisii mean?

Tillandsia honours the Finnish physician and botanist Elias Tillandz. The epithet harrisii honours American Tillandsia collector and exporter Bill Harris.

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

Renate Ehlers first described Tillandsia harrisii in 1987 in Bromelie, volume 1987, page 34.