Tillandsia ionantha, commonly called “Sky Plant”, is a stunning terrarium air plant and the perfect choice for a number of vivariums.
This species of tropical bromeliad is native to parts of Mexico and comes from a family of epiphytes that are well-known for their ability to adapt to challenging conditions.
Tillandsia ionantha is an easy-to-care-for plant that is both aesthetically and functionally beneficial to your enclosure.
| Quick Stats: | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tillandsia ionantha Planch |
| Common Name | Sky Plant, Blushing Bride Air Plant |
| Family Name | Bromeliaceae |
| Habitat | Woodlands |
| Temperature | 60°F to 70°F |
| Height | 8 to 12 inches |
| pH | 5.5 to 6.5 |
| Lighting | Medium bright, indirect |
What is Sky Plant?
Tillandsia ionantha is a type of bromeliad that naturally grows as an epiphyte, meaning it attaches to trees and forms colonies.
It is a grey-green color with bright pink and red coloring on the leaves when stressed or during flowering.
It is an evergreen species of bromeliad that can reach an indoor height of 8 to 12 inches, a width of 4 to 6 inches, and is relatively slow growing.
Sky Plant Facts
This species is known for its beautiful bloom of red and yellow flowers with long petals that spike out from the center.
The leaves on the plant have fringed tips (hooked trichomes) that help it to absorb moisture or nutrients from the air.
The inner tank also makes a great hiding place for some of your small enclosure dwellers.
Description
Tillandsia ionantha has a rosette form with arching, grey-green leaves that can reach up to 2 inches in thickness.
The foliage’s base thins out and the leaves will take off from there.
The lowermost leaves turn a deep red shading, thus giving this plant its common name of the Sky Plant.
Small yellow and red flowers will rise up when it is mature and ready to be propagated.
Habitat
Tillandsia ionantha is most commonly found in humid and wet woodlands in Mexico and other parts of Central and South America.
In the wild, it is found growing on the surface of rotten wood in low-light environments.
The ideal temperature for this plant ranges from 60°F to 70°F, with humidity levels between 40-60%.
pH Preference
Tillandsia ionantha prefers an acidic potting mix, with pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 6.5.
It’s important to follow these levels closely, as an inappropriate pH can stunt the plant’s growth or even kill it.
Vivarium Type
The Sky Plant is quite an easy-going species. With that in mind, it will not be too complicated when it comes to choosing the type of enclosure it is grown in.
It is best to try and replicate the plant’s natural habitat as much as possible.
Doing so will make it easier to provide this air plant with its basic needs.
The proper setup and theme of the enclosure will make a big difference to the overall look and health of the plant.
Be sure to choose setups that are moist and high in humidity. Here are recommended vivariums it will do well in:
- Paludariums – Half aquatic/ half terrain-based enclosure.
- Terrariums – Fully terrain-based enclosures with little to no aquatic features.
Vivarium Placement
Tillandsia ionantha is an epiphytic plant and thrives when it is anchored onto a surface in your vivarium.
You can make use of pieces of driftwood or bark to mount this plant in the terrarium to mimic its natural environment.
Place the plant in the mid to foreground of the enclosure and away from direct light sources.
Substrate
Tillandsia ionantha does not need a soil substrate to thrive in your enclosure, however, maintaining an adequate base with some drainage capabilities will help ensure the plant is adequately hydrated.
Use pieces of bark, coco fiber soil, and perlite or a combination of the three.
Ensure the base is only lightly moist and not saturated, so it doesn’t start to rot.
Lighting
This plant does best with plenty of bright light, but not direct sunlight.
It can thrive in low to medium terrarium light settings, but bright and indirect light will work just as well.
For best results, put the terrarium near a bright, south-facing window or use artificial lights such as LED, T5, or CFL light fixtures.
Buy Sky Plant
When it comes to buying Sky Plant, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Making sure the plant is healthy when purchased is essential for its success in a vivarium.
Vegetation that is already in poor conditions will have a very hard time adjusting to new environments.
Click the image below to find out more about the current price and other relative info about this plant.
Sky Plant Care and Propagation
Tillandsia ionantha is vitally important to your terrarium, it brings color and provides an interesting talking point.
It requires very little upkeep and is a slow grower – meaning you won’t have to worry about it taking over your enclosure!
Most importantly, it is easily propagated, simply remove a mature and healthy piece of the plant and replant it in your substrate.
How to Grow
To get the best from Tillandsia ionantha, the most important thing is to ensure that it has adequate airflow, and bright light and is kept moist.
It is important not to saturate the plant or allow it to dry out completely, as this can cause it to wilt and die.
Aside from moisture, the plant needs regular feeding.
Add liquid fertilizer to the water every two weeks during the growing season, or when you plan to divide and propagate the plant.
This helps ensure that all parts of the plant stay healthy and especially helps the flowers bloom.
Watering
Tillandsia ionantha grows best when it is lightly watered and misted twice a week.
During the winter months, water and mist the plant less often, usually once a week.
It can be difficult to get the perfect balance when watering a Tillandsia ionantha, but it is important to let the plant dry out a bit between waterings.
Too much moisture can cause root rot and other issues, while too little will result in the wilting and eventual death of the plant.
Plants Similar to Sky Plant
Adding diversity to an enclosure is key to an aesthetically pleasing setup.
Try mixing up the look of your vivarium with different flora that can easily co-exist in the same types of environment.
Furthermore, if you find Sky Plant hard to acquire or would like to consider something similar to this plant…
Here are other terrarium plants you might find will do well with or in the place of Tillandsia ionantha:
Conclusion
Tillandsia ionantha is a stunning addition to any terrarium and one that will add a great burst of color to your enclosure.
It is a hardy species, which can survive in a range of environments and will grow quickly in bright light.
With regular watering and fertilization, Sky Plant will provide a great source of color to your terrarium and provide a great talking point when showing your enclosure off to other hobbyists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tillandsia ionantha
Tillandsia ionantha usually has a lifespan of 1-5 years.
The sky plant (Tillandsia ionantha) grows in tropical areas, primarily in Mexico and Central America.