Tillandsia Usneoides - Spanish moss

The Tillandsia Usneoides, also known as Spanish moss, is a plant without roots classed as an epiphyte. Peculiar is that Tillandsia usneoides is from the bromeliad family that tasty pineapple plants belong to and grows mainly on trees and shrubs.

This plant gets its water and nutrients through its leaves from the air and raindrops. The Tillandsia Usneoides has silvery curled elongated leaves of 2-6 cm length that grow together like a chainmostly hanging over the tree branches. To spread itself around Spanish moss plants get helping hand from wind and birds. Plants are blown away or carried by birds and hang on another tree. Many birds use it as material for nests.

According to a Native American legend, tillandsia usneoides is the hair of a princess, who was killed by enemies on the day of her wedding. The grieving groom cut off his hair and hung it in a tree. The wind carried it away and thus distributed it over all the land.

The Tillandsia Usneoides mostly lives in tropical areas with high humidity and under the right circumstances can grow to a length of 1 to 2 meters! The original habitat of this plant ranges from Argentina to southeastern United States.

As an epiphyte Tillandsia prefers not to hang in full sun. Grow it in light shade. Provide good humidity. The leaves can dry out if the humidity is too low. Dip once or twice a week in lukewarm water or spray 1 or 2 times a week with a plant sprayer. Give extra water once in a while in hot and dry weather.