XL Tillandsia Xerographica Air Plant

Make a sculptural statement with an extra-large Tillandsia xerographica. This slow-growing air plant forms a dramatic rosette of broad, silvery-green leaves that curl and cascade as the plant matures. It needs no soil, making it easy to display in a bowl, on a shelf, in a wire holder, or as part of a special-event arrangement.

Plant characteristics

• Size: Extra-large specimen; individual size and spread naturally vary
• Foliage: Broad, silvery-green leaves with soft, curling tips and a powdery coating of moisture-absorbing trichomes
• Growth habit: Slow-growing, symmetrical rosette that becomes fuller and more curled with age
• Mature size: Leaves can extend 12–18 inches or more, and well-grown mature plants can develop an impressive overall spread
• Pet safety: Tillandsia are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, but keep the plant out of reach to prevent chewing or physical damage

Care guide

• Light: Provide very bright, indirect light. Gentle morning sun can be beneficial, but avoid prolonged hot afternoon sun that can scorch the leaves.
• Water: Soak the entire plant in room-temperature water for about 20–30 minutes approximately every two weeks. Unlike many other air plants, Xerographica prefers a less frequent watering schedule. Adjust for your conditions, watering somewhat sooner in unusually hot or very dry conditions and less often in cool or humid conditions.
• Drying: After soaking, gently shake out trapped water and place the plant upside down or on its side in strong airflow until completely dry, ideally within four hours. Do not allow water to remain in the center of the rosette.
• Soil: No soil is needed. Display it where air can circulate freely around the plant.
• Humidity and airflow: Moderate humidity is helpful, but good airflow is essential. Avoid closed containers and constantly damp displays.
• Temperature: Keep in a warm environment and protect from frost, cold drafts, and extreme heat.
• Feeding: During active growth, use an air-plant or bromeliad fertilizer at one-quarter strength about once a month. Avoid fertilizers containing copper or high levels of boron.
• Pruning: Trim only fully dried or damaged leaf tips with clean scissors, following the natural shape of the leaf.
• Propagation: Mature plants can produce offsets, or pups, around the base, often after flowering. Pups may remain attached to form a cluster or be separated once they reach about one-third to one-half the size of the parent.

Flowering and life cycle

A mature Xerographica can produce a tall, colorful bloom spike. Each rosette blooms once, then gradually directs its energy into producing offsets. This is a natural part of the air plant’s life cycle and can unfold over many months.

What you’ll receive

You will receive one live extra-large Tillandsia xerographica air plant. Natural variations in shape, color, curl, size, and clustering are normal for living plants. The plant you receive will be similar to, but not exactly the same as, the plants shown in the photos.