How to grow Spanish Moss ( Tillandsia usenoides )

Date:

4th July 2022

    Spanish Moss is an epiphyte. This means that it gets it's food and water from the air, rain, or from particles that fall on to it. They do not have roots in the soil. They grow on trees but are not considered parasites as they do no harm to their host.

It does not come from Spain but is found mostly in the United States. It is not a moss but belongs in the Bromeliad family

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How to grow Spanish Moss

Botanical name

Tillandsia usneoides in the Bromeliad family

Type of plant

                    Epiphyte                    
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                    Size when fully grown                   
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                    Varies, up to 6m in length                  
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                    When they flower                    
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                    Late spring and summer                  
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                    Where to plant                  
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                    Plant in a position of full sun                     
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                    Soil type                   
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                    N/A                 
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                    Temperature tolerance                   
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                    After care                  
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                    Keep watered with distilled water or rainwater.                 
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                    When to plant                   
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                    October or March/April                  
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                    Pests and diseases                  
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                    Quite disease free

Gardening questions

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fun facts!

FLOWERING NOW

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WEATHER

Your gardening weather

London, GB

4:17 am, January 21, 2025

2°C

few clouds

94 %

1016 mb

6 mph

Wind Gust: 0 mph

Visibility: 4 mi

Sunrise: 7:53 am

Sunset: 4:29 pm

hardiness rATINGS

RHS Hardiness Ratings	USDA Plant Hardiness Zones	Approximate Temperature Range (°C)
H1a H1b H1c	13 12 11	>15°C 10 to 15°C 5 to 10°C
H2	10b	1 to 5°C
H3	9b to 10a	-5 to 1°C
H4	8b to 9a	-10 to -5°C
H5	7b to 8a	-15 to -10°C
H6	6b and 7a	-20 to -15°C
H7	6a	Below -20°C

POT SIZES

Square Top Pots

Top Dimensions	Base Dimensions	Height	Volume
10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in)	8 cm x 8 cm (3 in x 3 in)	10 cm (4 in)	0.6 L
15 cm x 15 cm (6 in x 6 in)	12 cm x 12 cm (5 in x 5 in)	15 cm (6 in)	2 L
20 cm x 20 cm (8 in x 8 in)	15 cm x 15 cm (6 in x 6 in)	20 cm (8 in)	5 L
30 cm x 30 cm (12 in x 12 in)	25 cm x 25 cm (10 in x 10 in)	30 cm (12 in)	18 L
40 cm x 40 cm (16 in x 16 in)	35 cm x 35 cm (14 in x 14 in)	40 cm (16 in)	56 L
50 cm x 50 cm (20 in x 20 in)	45 cm x 45 cm (18 in x 18 in)	50 cm (20 in)	113 L
60 cm x 60 cm (24 in x 24 in)	55 cm x 55 cm (22 in x 22 in)	60 cm (24 in)	216 L

Round Top Pots

Top Diameter	Base Diameter	Height	Volume
10 cm (4 in)	8 cm (3 in)	10 cm (4 in)	0.5 L
15 cm (6 in)	12 cm (5 in)	15 cm (6 in)	1.7 L
20 cm (8 in)	15 cm (6 in)	18 cm (7 in)	3.2 L
30 cm (12 in)	25 cm (10 in)	30 cm (12 in)	14.7 L
40 cm (16 in)	35 cm (14 in)	40 cm (16 in)	37 L
50 cm (20 in)	45 cm (18 in)	50 cm (20 in)	88 L
60 cm (24 in)	55 cm (22 in)	60 cm (24 in)	181 L

Notes on Sizes

Square Pots: Great for plants needing even root distribution (e.g., vegetables or roses).
Round Pots: Ideal for taprooted plants (e.g., trees or larger shrubs).
Extra-Large Pots: Use for ornamental arrangements or permanent planting solutions like fruit trees.