Tillandsia 'lonantha red' (Air Plant)

Botanical & Common Names
- Botanical name: Tillandsia 'lonantha red'
- Common names: Air Plant

Background & Origin
Tillandsia ionantha ‘Red’ is a colourful cultivar of this compact air plant species in the Bromeliad family. Native to Central America and Mexico, it grows epiphytically in warm, humid tropical forests, attaching itself to trees and branches rather than rooting in soil. Like other Tillandsia, it uses specialised leaf structures called trichomes to absorb moisture and nutrients directly from the air, an adaptation that allows it to thrive high in the forest canopy.

Care Level
- Care level: Easy
- Suitable for beginners: Yes!

What It Loves
- Medium to bright indirect sunlight
- A consistent watering routine

What It Dislikes
- Drying out
- Low humidity
- Prolonged direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves

Best Rooms for This Plant
- Living rooms
- Bathroom
- Kitchens
- Bedrooms

Growth Potential
- Typical height indoors: Up 10cm tall with time
- Typical spread: Up to 5-8 cm wide
- Growth rate: slow growers
- Pruning required: Occasional, to remove dead leaves.

Is This Plant Right for You?
This plant is a great choice if you:
- Low-maintenance charm: Striking look without extra effort.
- Warm spot with bright but indirect sunlight
- Like Soilless plant

Light
- Best light: Warm spot with bright, indirect light away from a radiator
- Avoid: Strong, direct sunlight

Watering
- Frequency: Water every week to every 10 days by soaking the leaves in water for 20 minutes to an hour (Make sure that you don't get the 'root' wet as this will lead to rot) Shake them afterwards to remove excess water. Make sure they are completely dry before putting back in place.
- Seasonal note: Reduce watering in winter when growth slows.

Humidity
- Prefers: High Humidity
- Extra humidity helpful?: Loves humidity, be careful not to leave any excess water on the leaves as these can cause the plant to rot. You can give it regular misting between waters using lukewarm water or place in a room near a humidifier.

Feeding
- Feed with: A plant food specific to Air Plants
- Frequency: Doesn't need much feeding but if you do want to make sure you use a fertiliser that is tailored to air plants. This can be done when you soak your plants or using foliar fertiliser when you mist your plants.

Toxicity
- Pet safe: Yes
- Notes: Keep out of reach of pets and small children to avoid damage to leaves.

Repotting
- How often: Does not need repotting as not planted in soil
- Signs it’s needed: Place in a terrarium, on wood, in shells to display your air plants.