Distributed from Mexico to Nicaragua at altitudes from 450 to 1,700 m.

Tillandsia ionantha Mexico form

Tillandsia (Tillandsia) ionantha Planchon (1854)

[ Etymology ] ion + anthus in Latin (purple + flower)
[ Classification ] genus Tillandsia - subgenus Tillandsia
[ Regional variation ]
Mexico form
Guatemala form
Colombia form
[ Variety ]
Tillandsia ionantha var. ionantha
Tillandsia ionantha var. maxima (Large foliage)
Tillandsia ionantha var. scaposa => Tillandsia scaposa
Tillandsia ionantha var. stricta (Narrow leaves)
Tillandsia ionantha var. vanhyningii (Long stem)
Tillandsia ionantha var. zebrina => Tillandisa ionantha 'Zebrina'
[ Form ]
Tillandsia ionantha f. fastigiata (Narrow leavs and closed foliage)
[ Cultivar ]
Tillandsia ionantha 'Albino' (White flower, leaves turn lemon yellow)
Tillandsia ionantha 'Druid' (White flower, leaves turn yellow)
Tillandsia ionantha 'Fuego' (Purple flower, leaves turn vivid red)
Tillandsia ionantha 'Hazelnut' (Tear drop shape)
Tillandsia ionantha 'Peach' (Purple flower, leaves turn peach yellow)
Tillandsia ionantha 'Rubra' (Large foliage, leaves turn pinky red)
Tillandsia ionantha 'Variegata' (Variegated)
Tillandisa ionantha 'Zebrina' (Band texture on leaves)
[ Synonyms ]
Tillandsia erubescens H. Wendland (1854)
Tillandsia quesneliana Hort ex Beer
Tillandsia rubentifolia Poisson and Menet (1908)
Tillandsia scopus Hooker f.

Photographs

[ Cultivation data ]
[ Flowers ]
[ Blooming foliages ]
[ Green foliages ]

Features

[ Blooming ] March - May, for 15 days
[ Flower ] Purple
[ Fregrance ] None
[ Blooming size ] 2 - 4 cm (W) x 3 - 6 cm (H)
This is very common species but low degree of drought tolerance.
Many variations and forms of Tillandsia ionantha are known.
The foliage is smaller foliage and leaves are shorter than those of T. ionantha Guatemala form.

Cultivaton tips

Informations summarized here are based on our experiences, and TrekGEO does not guarantee the results by cultivating in the same or similar conditions described here. Even a species of Tillandsia differs substantially between individuals, and is very sensitive in changes of environments. Applicatons of any idea inspired by this site should be at your own risks.

Very high watering frequency cultivation

Grows well.

Low watering frequency cultivation

Managed to keep the foliage. Leaves at the bottom of the foliage and leaf tips tend to die. Better ventilation and higher watering frequency are necessary.

Cultivation Log (2nd foliage)

Apr. 2020 It keeps growing.

June 2019 Two offsets and a offset began to grow from 2 bloomed foliages..
Mar. 2019 Two foliage of the clump bloomed.
Jan. 2019 Leaves of foliages except pups began to turn red.

Aug. 2018 Roots began to grow.
June 2018 Two offsets began to grow from the bloomed foliage.
Apr. 2018 The 2nd largest foliage in the clump bloomed.

June 2017 Roots began to grow.
June 2017 An offset began to grow from the bloomed foliage.
Apr. 2017 The largest foliage in the clump bloomed.

May 2016 Two offsets began to grow at the bottom of the foliage, and it become 3-foliage clump..
Apr. 2016 Good condition.

Cultivation Log (1st foliage)

Mar. 2009 The foliage became smaller.

Oct. 2006 Moved to another site. Cultivation condition is almost same as the previous site.

Oct. 2005 The size of the foliage is not changed as the leaves at the bottom of the foliage die in the growing process.

Aug. 2004 The temperature rises above 30 °C for 40 days, and the highest temperature was over 39 °C.
Feb. 2004 Good condition.