Tillandsia usneoides

Natural range of Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish moss has a wide natural range, from the south-eastern United States through tropical America to Argentina and Chile.

Spanish moss often grows in moist places and can be abundant near rivers, ponds and lakes. It also survives dry spells. It hangs from branches and other supports and grows without soil. The supports simply hold the plant in place; the scales on its leaves absorb water from rain and the air.

How to care for Tillandsia usneoides

• Light: Give bright filtered light, with gentle direct sun if it is introduced gradually. Dense curtains should receive light through the whole mass, including the inner strands.
• Temperature: Avoid prolonged temperatures below 12 °C. About 15–30 °C is a good indoor range. In warmer conditions it will dry faster and may need more frequent watering; avoid leaving a wet bundle in cool conditions.
• Humidity: Aim for 50–60% humidity.
• Airflow: Good airflow keeps the strands from staying wet for long. Loosen or divide a very dense bundle if the centre stays damp.
• Water: Thoroughly wet the entire bundle by soaking or rinsing, then allow it to dry before watering again. Make sure the inner strands receive water as well as the outside.
• Drying: Hang the plant loosely after watering so water can drain and air can move through the centre. Do not leave a compact wet bundle sitting in a bowl.
• Display: Hang or drape it over an open support with no potting soil. Leave enough room for the strands to lengthen without being compressed.
• Feeding: Add a very dilute bromeliad or orchid fertiliser to the water occasionally.
• Grooming: Remove clearly dead, brittle strands and divide a very dense bundle if needed. Healthy pieces can be moved to another support and continue growing.

Problems and solutions for Tillandsia usneoides

• Strands become crisp and brittle throughout: If previously pliable strands become dry and brittle, check whether the inner bundle is receiving enough water or is exposed to excessively dry, hot airflow. Wet viable strands thoroughly and hang them loosely so they can dry promptly afterward. Remove only completely dead, brittle strands; already dead sections will not revive.
• Sections inside the bundle turn dark and soft: The bundle is staying wet without enough airflow. Spread or divide it, remove rotten sections with a disinfected cutting tool and discard them, then let the remaining plant dry fully.
• Outer strands develop bleached tan patches: Strong direct sun or heat has scorched the outer strands. Move the plant back from hot glass and increase direct sun more gradually.
• The centre of a dense curtain thins while the outside keeps growing: The inner strands are too shaded and may also be receiving less air and water. Loosen or divide the bundle so light, air and water can reach the centre.

Tillandsia usneoides is generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs

• Its fine, hanging strands can attract pets that pull or chew plants. Keep them out of reach.
• 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.

How did Tillandsia usneoides get its name?

Tillandsia honours the Finnish physician and botanist Elias Tillandz. The epithet usneoides means resembling Usnea, the beard-lichen genus.

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

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Renealmia usneoides in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 287. Carl Linnaeus later placed it in Tillandsia as Tillandsia usneoides in 1762 in Species Plantarum, second edition, page 411.