Tillandsia ionantha

Common Names

Air Plant, Sky Plant, Blushing Bride

Summary

Blushing Bride air plant is a compact epiphytic bromeliad native to Central America and Mexico that grows without soil, attaching to wood, bark, cork, or rocks; it forms a rosette of green to silvery leaves with trichomes, and leaves may redden at flowering as central leaves turn pink or red; it blooms with purple-violet flowers and forms pups after blooming.

For culture, provide bright indirect light and good air circulation, mount or hang rather than plant in soil, and water by soaking 20–30 minutes 1–2x/week with misting as needed, ensuring complete drying to prevent rot; use rainwater or demineralized water to avoid mineral buildup; fertilize optionally with bromeliad or air-plant fertilizer diluted during the growing season; tolerate temperatures of 60–80°F (15–29°C) with humidity around 60–72%; outdoors in USDA zones 9–11; commonly used in terrariums and decorative displays.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 inches

Spread

4-8 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Sun to Partial Shade, with Full Sun (some afternoon shade in very hot climates).

Soil Type

No soil; epiphytic air plant.

Soil Drainage

No soil, substrate that does not retain water

Soil pH

Not applicable; no soil

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green with gray-green to silvery-green tones; may blush red or pink at bloom

Fall Foliage Color

Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division (offsets/pups)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts hummingbirds