Small Ballmoss
Tillandsia recurvata
- Native to:
- Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Navassa Island, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Turks-Caicos Is., United States, Uruguay, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Bromeliaceae
- Genus:
- Tillandsia
- Species:
- Tillandsia recurvata
- USDA Symbol:
- TIRE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pale green, blue, violet
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- epiphytic, attaches to tree bark
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- grows on host plants, not soil
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require high humidity and bright indirect light; best germinated on moist sphagnum or bark. Epiphytic nature means no soil substrate needed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI