{"product_id":"tillandsia-velutina","title":"Tillandsia velutina","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome air plants are grown for their foliage. Some are grown for their bloom. Tillandsia velutina earns its place for both—and for the way it feels.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe name says it all. Velutina comes from the Latin for \"velvety,\" and it's not a marketing flourish. The leaves are covered in a dense layer of fine trichomes that give them a soft, matte texture you can feel with a fingertip. It's a tactile plant in a genus that's usually admired visually. That velvety surface also helps the plant absorb moisture from the air, which is exactly what an epiphyte needs in its native habitat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhere it comes from. T. velutina was described by Renate Ehlers in 1994, from a collection made on the road between Motozintla and Tapachula in Chiapas, Mexico. Its native range runs from Chiapas into Guatemala, where it grows as an epiphyte in humid forest on pine trees at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 meters. That high-altitude, humid-forest origin explains a lot about its care: it wants bright light, regular moisture, and good airflow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe shape. It forms a stemless, clumping rosette of numerous spreading, decurved leaves—dark green, narrowly triangular, and covered in that dense trichome layer. Flowering plants reach about 15 cm (6 inches) high and 25 cm (10 inches) wide, though mature clumps can spread further. It's closely related to T. brachycaulos and looks similar in form, but the foliage is darker green and the texture is softer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe transformation. This is where velutina earns its keep. As the inflorescence forms, the inner leaves—and eventually most of the rosette—flush in shades of yellow, pink, and finally brilliant red. The velvety green disappears under a wash of color that rivals T. ionantha and T. brachycaulos for drama. From the blushing rosette rises a short, thick inflorescence with coral-red to rosy-red bracts and erect, tubular violet flowers. The whole display lasts for weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100%;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.0322%;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.675%;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.0322%;\"\u003eSmall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.675%;\"\u003e2-3\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.0322%;\"\u003eMedium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.675%;\"\u003e3-4\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 66.0322%;\"\u003eLarge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 33.675%;\"\u003e4-5\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCare Instructions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBright, indirect light. A spot near a bright window but out of harsh direct afternoon sun is ideal. It tolerates shade to indirect light, and can handle some direct morning sun. Good light encourages the strongest red flush at bloom. If your plant is staying green and you want more color, more light is the answer—but avoid scorching midday sun.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVelutina likes a regular watering pattern. Mist thoroughly twice a week, or dunk the plant face down in a bowl of water and let it soak for 20 minutes once a week. Shake off the excess water afterward and allow it to dry completely within 6–8 hours. Soak monthly for up to 4 hours to rehydrate as necessary. The one rule: never let water sit in the base of the plant. That's how air plants rot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rainforest Flora","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":67852391907570,"sku":null,"price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":67852391940338,"sku":null,"price":5.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":67852391973106,"sku":null,"price":7.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0711\/1763\/5826\/files\/tillandsia-velutina-5690930.jpg?v=1792821069","url":"https:\/\/rainforestflora.com\/products\/tillandsia-velutina","provider":"Rainforest Flora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}