Leatherleaf Airplant
Tillandsia variabilis
- Native to:
- Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Puerto Rico, United States, Virgin Islands
New York Botanical Garden.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Bromeliaceae
- Genus:
- Tillandsia
- Species:
- Tillandsia variabilis
- USDA Symbol:
- TIVA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, violet
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- epiphytic, attaches to trees, no soil
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- grows on trees in native habitat
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require high humidity and bright indirect light; best germinated on moist sphagnum or mounted on bark.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI