Tillandsia - Howard’s Purple

Description: Tillandsia Howard’s Purple is an unknown hybrid originally sourced from Howard Martin. It is thought to be a hybrid of T. paleacea and T. tenuifolia 'Blue Flower' which Howard bred circa 97/98. The foliage is semi-rigid, re-curving and has a thick layer of trichomes, giving it a frosted appearance. This hybrid is caulescent (stem growing), and will produce offsets from the base of the inflorescence. The inflorescence is long and dark burgundy in colour, with purple flowers.

Position: We do not recommend keeping this plant indoors. They should receive bright, indirect sunlight, and very good airflow. We recommend mounting this species, in positions such as under a tree, in a shade-house, or in a covered outdoor area such as a deck or patio.  When positioning outdoors in colder states, protection from frost is required, so keep this in mind.

Watering: As a general rule, a plant in a hot position will require watering every 2-3 days. In a dark, humid environment watering once per week can often be adequate. This can be achieved by misting or dunking the plant. If outdoors, a hose can be used. When dunking a plant, leave submerged in a bowl of water for 10-20 minutes before shaking off excess water. Air plants love to dry out completely between each watering and must never have water sitting at their base as this will cause the plant to rot.

Fertilisation: We recommend fertilising your Air Plants once a fortnight in the warmer months and once a month through winter. We sell Air Plant Fertiliser in our "Accessories" section. Simply give the plant one or two sprays after watering.

Each living plant is unique and may vary slightly in size, colour or shape depending on the season. Flowering plants are sent when available.