Tillandsia Streptophylla
Shirley Temple
The Tillandsia Streptophylla is known as Shirley Temple for its curly mane of leaves. The name ‘Streptophylla’ means “with twisted leaves”. The ends of the leaves have the tendency to curl under the base of the plant. Sometimes Tillandsia Streptophylla looks like a small Xerographica.
This unique and curly species is considered to be a xeric Tillandsia, meaning it thrives in drier conditions. When the leaves are more dehydrated, they curl up into tight ringlets. This beauty grows a gorgeous, pink inflorescence that is frosted with trichomes.
If you want to grow air plants indoors and the air is dry, you will need to mist it frequently and keep it near a window where the air flows.
Soak your air plant once a week in a bowl of water for some time. You can also mist your plant with a spray bottle once a day if it needs more water between the soakings. It absorbs water through leaves instead of roots. Gently shake off any excessive water from the leaves of the air plant after each watering. Place your air plants somewhere with good air circulation to dry them completely within 4 hours of watering.
The air plants are unusual, in that they can grow on almost anything without the need for soil. The Tillandsia, AKA air plant, is native to Mexico, Costa Rica, Central America and parts of South America, and has become a popular ornamental plant throughout the world. The small air plant produces a colourful array of shoots, ranging from pink to blue to purple. While these plants appear difficult to grow due to their unusual characteristics, air plants are very hardy and air plant care is simple. In fact, you mostly just need to mist the air plant occasionally.
