mexican air plants Tillandsia Albida minor

mexican air plants Tillandsia Albida minor*Air plant only, cholla pot sold separately Tillandsia albida minor is fast becoming extinct in its natural habitat in Mexico. Belonging to the Bromeliaceae family, the caulescent plant exhibits stem like growth. The leaves form a rosette though they are rigid. The silver colored leaves spiral around the stem. This slow growing air plant bears crimson colored inflorescence with cream colored flowers. Since it is xeric, it loves bright, intense light

*Air plant only, cholla pot sold separately

Tillandsia albida minor is fast becoming extinct in its natural habitat in Mexico. Belonging to the Bromeliaceae family, the caulescent plant exhibits stem-like growth. The leaves form a rosette though they are rigid. The silver-colored leaves spiral around the stem. This slow-growing air plant bears crimson-colored inflorescence with cream-colored flowers. Since it is xeric, it loves bright, intense light but not direct. It also prefers good airflow around. The winter dormant air plant exhibits good growth when hung upside down. The Tillandsia albida minor grows to a height of about 15 cm.

Growth Rate

Tillandsia albida minor grows at a slow pace.

Flowering

The plant can flower at any time. Each rosette develops one spiked red-colored inflorescence that bears cream flowers. 

Watering and Feeding

The almost extinct species in its natural habitat can be cultivated well by misting the plant two to three times a week. Alternatively, the plant can be submerged in a big bowl filled with tap or rainwater for half an hour. At any cost, this air plant should be dried well, or else it can rot to death. 

Soil

Being an air plant, the Tillandsia albida minor attaches to solid substrata like wood, wires, etc., for growth. It takes its nutrients from the air.

Hardiness 

The hardiness zones of Albida minor are 9 to 11. It is frost sensitive and cannot withstand temperatures less than 30° to 40°F (-1.1° to 4.4°C).

Light

Albida minor loves a bright sunny environment. Ensure that the light is not direct as it prefers filtered sunlight. 

Propagation

Offsets and pups at the base of the plant are best for propagation.

Hung upside down, the Tillandsia albida minor is a show-stopper all the way through. Pick a healthy air plant from Planet Desert and stop the Albida from getting extinct.