Danielle

Tillandsia Andreas

Pink Quill Plant, Bromeliad

• 
  Bright light
• 
  Easy care

• Danielle likes...
  • 
    Regular watering

    Keep her soil lightly moist and pour a little water into her central crevice, or ‘cup’. Water with filtered or rainwater weekly.

  • 
    Bright light

    She will thrive in bright light but not harsh, direct sun. Near a window is a perfect position.

  • 
    Humidity

    Danielle is used to the rainforest so will enjoy high humidity. Pop her in a bright, steamy kitchen or bathroom or mist her regularly with room temperature water.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Tillandsia ‘Andreas’

  Nickname

  Pink Quill Plant

  Plant type

  Indoor evergreen

  Plant height (including pot)

  40-50cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Yes

  Nursery pot size

  12cm

• About Tillandsia

  Tillandsia are more commonly known as air plants because they don’t actually need soil to survive. They are epiphytic which means they grow in the branches of treetops and in the crevices of rocks. They have short wiry roots which they use to grip onto rough surfaces.  They keep hydrated by holding water in the central cup where the rosette of their leaves gather but also through specially adapted cells in their leaves that absorb moisture from the air. You can make them feel right at home by keeping them in your kitchen or bathroom and by watering them with distilled water or even better, rainwater.

  In the wild, Tillandsias get their nutrients from decomposed leaves, insects and monkey droppings. While we don’t suggest you get a pet monkey, we do suggest that you feed your plant a dilute liquidplant foodevery few weeks from spring through to the end of summer.

  Originating from subtropical areas of Mexico and South America, Tillandsia are part of the Bromeliad family, and are relatives ofLorenzoandKenan.  Although the top of the plant looks like a flower, it’s actually a collection of Barbie-pink leaves called ‘bracts’ - which give it the common name ‘Pink Quill Plant’. The flowers themselves are purple, and will emerge from the colourful bracts in Spring or Autumn. This ‘flower’ spike will live for about five months before dying back and will not flower again. Don’t worry, the next generation of flowers will grow from the new plants or ‘offsets’ growing from the base of the plant.

  Did you know?

  In the wild, Tillandsia don’t have to rely on rainfall because they’ve adapted to get the moisture they need from misty or foggy air.