Tillandsia remota

A unique "grassy-type" air plant, Tillandsia remota is known for its delicate, fragrant flowers:

• Foliage: Forms a dense, fasciculate rosette of about 20 leaves. Each leaf is long, narrow, and setaceous (bristle-like or awl-shaped). They are a soft gray-green color which helps reflect sunlight and absorb moisture. 
• Inflorescence: A very laxly bipinnate inflorescence on a slender stem. The floral spikes are small and densely packed with 5-7 white flowers.
• Fragrance: Most often compared to sweet grape soda or grape candy. Some also detect notes of baby powder or powdery vanilla. It blooms at night and the scent is intensely strong, but each flower lasts only about 24 hours before fading.

Key features:

• Native to Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It grows as an epiphyte in seasonally dry tropical forests at elevations from 186 to 1000 meters.
• The most distinctive feature is the white, spreading petals of the flowers. Unlike many air plants with tubular flowers, the petals open flat and are highly fragrant. A critical feature is the included stamens which distinguish it from similar-looking species 
• Growth Pattern: It is a prolific multiplier. A single plant will quickly produce many offsets, forming a dense, grass-like clump. Over time, mature clumps can grow to be more than a meter in diameter.
• Size: Mature specimens typically reach 40cm (16") in height. The rosette usually spans 15-20cm (6"-8") in diameter. 

Care tip: Requires bright, indirect light. Water every 2-3 days in hot positions or weekly in humid environments. Soak the plant for 10-20 minutes, then shake off excess water. It must dry out completely between waterings to prevent rot. Protect from frost and freezing conditions. 

Ideal for: The Scent Enthusiast, The Outdoor Gardener, The Clump Collector