Notes from Tillandsia II: Tillandsia cyanea

When our co-founder, Paul Isley, wrote Tillandsia II, his guide to Tillandsia species, cultivars, and hybrids, we never imagined its impact. We'll share excerpts here to celebrate its legacy, one plant at a time. If you're new to Tillandsia, we hope it sparks a lifelong love.

Note: since the publication of Tillandsia II, Tillandsia cyanea has been scientifically reclassified into a new genus in the Bromeliaceae family: Wallisia. Therefore, the entry below refers to Wallisia cyanea.

–the Rainforest Flora Team

Tillandsia cyanea

Linden; 1867
(sigh-AH-nay-ah)
Subgenus: Phytarrhiza

Cyaneus is an adjective originally from the Greek that means "dark blue," a reference to the color of the flower petals.

Tillandsia cyanea grows epiphytically in the forests of western Ecuador at elevations from near sea level to 850 meters. In bloom, it is one of the most spectacular species, and it has been produced commercially for generations in Europe because of this bloom. This is one of the few species that grows more robustly as a terrestrial.

Tillandsia cyanea is stemless and about 35 cm in width and 18 cm in height in the non-blooming state. The many fern green leaves form a spreading rosette. They are linear-triangular, attenuate and recurve gracefully. The bases are often cardinal, and the green blades have longitudinal, cardinal striations. The foliar trichomes are so small and widely dispersed that the leaves appear glabrous to the naked eye.

The simple, glabrous inflorescence is distichous and usually about 10-15 cm in height and 5-6 cm in width, which is relatively large and showy for a Tillandsia. It is elliptic and complanate, rather like a paddle. In medium to bright light this large inflorescence becomes bright pink. The floral bracts are densely imbricate and distichous. The beautiful violet petals are spreading and large—usually 2 cm across and 3.5 cm in length which makes the three petaled corolla among if not the largest in the genus. As with most species, each floral bract gives rise to a bloom that will last for a day or two. This means the plant will be in bloom for as long as a month. Sometimes the flowers have a cinnamon fragrance.

Tillandsia cyanea normally produces from three to a dozen offsets, not only during and subsequent to the blooming period but during the growing cycle as well. Tillandsia cyanea is easy to cultivate, but it is normally grown in more shaded and protected conditions than other xerophytic species. This plant should be potted in a fast-draining mix and watered frequently during the growing season. It makes a fine houseplant if given sufficient light and proper watering.

Tillandsia cyanea responds favorably to a consistent feeding program. The soil should be fertilized in the same manner as that of any regular houseplant. For those who desire, T. cyanea can be mounted epiphytically in lieu of life in a pot. A swath of sphagnum wrapped around the root base helps keep the roots from drying. The moss should not be kept dripping wet, but neither should it dry completely.

At least during the warm months, "Grow the plant outdoors, and enjoy the bloom indoors," seems to be a good motto for this species—and for most others as well.

In the years since Tillandsia was published, a number of attractive and slightly different forms of T. cyanea have emerged. The differences usually have to do with the intensity of the inflorescence color and hue, its height, the speed with which it colors, the size of the plant, and the color of the flowers. At Rainforest Flora, Inc. we have introduced a form that has white to very pale pink flowers called T. cyanea 'Softer Glow'.