Tillandsia seleriana

A velvet-scaled epiphyte from Mesoamerica

Carl Christian Mez published Tillandsia seleriana in 1902 and named it after German scholar and collector Eduard Seler. The species is native from southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. It has a swollen base and a soft covering of silvery scales.

Wild plants attach to trees in subtropical vegetation. Rain, mist and airborne debris reach the absorbent leaf surface, and the dense scales collect brief supplies of moisture. The branches expose the recurving leaves to bright, shifting light and moving air. Alternating moisture and drying are a natural part of its Mesoamerican habitat.

Growing Tillandsia as air plants

Watering

Use rain, distilled or reverse-osmosis water to wet the plant thoroughly after it has dried fully and the leaves become less flexible. Severe drought desiccates tips, yet cool retained water in the pseudobulb is the greater risk.

Light

Give Tillandsia seleriana very strong light directly at an east, south or west window. Its dense silver covering tolerates several hours of direct sun once acclimated, though sudden hot midday exposure can bleach raised curves.

Humidity and airflow

Low to average room humidity is suitable. Higher humidity is unnecessary for this xeric species and makes the heavily coated pseudobulb slower to dry.

Fertilising

During active growth, add a very low dose of air-plant or bromeliad fertiliser to an occasional complete wetting. Rinse with plain low-mineral water between feeds and prevent fertiliser solution from remaining inside the pseudobulb.

Root care and support

No potting substrate is used. Remount when the swollen plant or offsets outgrow the support, ties begin to constrict or the holder prevents full inversion.

A fuzzy swollen base that must still dry

• The base is large, oval and heavily scaled: This furry-looking swollen base is the normal form of Tillandsia seleriana. The pale water-absorbing scales are part of the plant, not mould or mineral dust.
• Water remains deep between the swollen leaf bases: Drain the plant upside down after every watering and provide strong gentle airflow. The enclosed base can rot internally before the outer leaves show much change.
• A central leaf pulls out with a dark soft end: The growing point has rotted. Remove loose decayed tissue, keep the base dry and warm and monitor for firm surviving offsets; do not pour water into the cavity.
• Leaves curl more tightly and tips crisp: Some curvature is normal, but a clear change can indicate dehydration. Water thoroughly, drain at once and reassess after the leaves rehydrate, keeping the swollen base dry between waterings.

Tillandsia seleriana 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 seleriana: where the name comes from

Tillandsia honours the Finnish physician and botanist Elias Tillandz. The epithet seleriana honours German scholar and collector Eduard Georg Seler.

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

Carl Christian Mez first described Tillandsia seleriana in 1902 in Beiblatt zu den Botanischen Jahrbüchern für Systematik, volume 67, page 8.