Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) – Indoor Plants

Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is one of the most beautiful air plants. It has a slender stem bearing alternate thin, curved or curly, heavily scaled leaves 2 – 6 cm long that grow vegetatively in the chain-like pendant to form hanging structures up to 6m in long. The thread-like stems covered with grey scales are in reality, minute, scaly leaves. Tillandsia usneoides have no aerial roots and its blossoms are small and unnoticeable. The tiny, pale green blossoms that appear in the leaf axil of wild Spanish moss, rarely bloom on plants grown indoors. The blossoms, with a musk fragrance, appear in the warmer months. Tillandsia usneoides is not actually used as a potted plant being rootless.

Scientific classification:

Family: Bromeliaceae
Genus: Tillandsia
Subgenus: Tillandsia subg. Diaphoranthema
Species: T. usneoides

Scientific Name: Tillandsia usneoides
Synonyms: Renealmia usneoides, Strepsia usneoides, Tillandsia trichoides, Tillandsia filiformis, Tillandsia crinita.
Common Name: Spanish Moss, Old Man’s Whiskers, Tillandsia Spanish Moss, Grey Beard.

How to grow and maintain Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides):

Light:
It thrives well in bright light, but not direct sunlight. The south, east, or west window is perfect. They can also be grown under fluorescent tubes.

Mounting:
Spanish moss refers to be mounted on a solid substrate that does not retain water. You can glue the plant directly to the surface with a strong adhesive or you can wire the plant to the base. Don’t cover the base of the plant with moss or it may rot. It can be grown on almost any imaginable decorative mount, including shells, rocks, slate, driftwood, etc.

Water:
Water two to four times a week with a mister. If your environment is dry, mist daily. Water until the leaves are thoroughly wet. Soaking every day or two in summer and fortnightly in winter will keep the plant at peak condition. Submerge the plant along with its base in water for 10 minutes. Avoid hot or dry environments and full sunlight.

Temperature:
Spanish moss thrives well in average room temperatures 60 degrees Fahrenheit – 75 degrees Fahrenheit / 16 degrees Celsius – 24 degrees Celsius.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize once every month with a low-copper liquid fertilizer, diluted to 1/4 strength.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by seed and vegetatively by fragments that blow on the wind and stick to tree limbs or are carried by birds as nesting material. To propagate Spanish moss detach a few stems and wire them to a piece of cork or bark.

Benefits of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides):

• The Whole plant is often harvested from the wild and used as packing material, mattress stuffing, and fiber.
• The cured stems are used as a stuffing in the cushions, arms, etc of furniture.