Tillandsia cyanea

Tillandsia cyanea

Pink Quill

The genus Tillandsia belongs to the Bromeliad family and contains approx. 400 members of which the Pink Quill (Tillandsia cyanea) is the most commonly cultivated species. The native to Ecuador plant grows epiphytic (sitting on trees). Its purple flowers emerge from the pink to red colored bracts and can be produced for 1 to 3 months.

Tillandsia cyanea
Tillandsia cyanea is commonly known as Pink Quill.

Care

  • Lighting: bright to partial shade with some morning or evening sun
  • Soil: a regular cacti mix or potting soil with orchid bark
  • Watering: allow to dry between the waterings
  • Feeding: half diluted every 6 to 8 weeks
  • Temperature: room temperature the year round with a winter minimum of 15 °C/59 °F
  • Propagation: offsets

Lighting: Tillandsia cyanea does best if located bright but protected from afternoon sun. Some morning- and/or evening sun such as a light shaded place will be tolerated. Brown patches on the leaves may indicate that it got too much sun.

Soil: The soil should be well drained, a mix between potting soil and orchid bark (1:1) can be used. There are special mixes for bromeliads available.

Tillandsia cyanea

Watering: The Pink Quill can be deep watered, what’s flowing out of the pot should be removed after a few minutes. Sitting in water can cause rotten roots. >Before watering next let the soil become moderately dry.

Tillandsia flowers

Feeding: A all-purpose houseplant fertilizer at half strenght can be given every 6 to 8 weeks in spring/summer. A half diluted orchid fertilizer is also suitable.

New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.

Temperature: This Bromeliad can be cultivated at room temperature the year round and needs a winter minimum of 15 °C/59 °F.

Humidity: Spraying it over with water from time to time increases humidity only for a short time but keeps its leaves free of dust.

Pruning: The flower spike can be cutted off when it has dried. The old growth will not bloom again. After flowering Tillandsia cyanea is showing new offsets at its base. Those will maybe rebloom after some months.

Propagation

Offsets can be removed when they are 7 to 10 cm (2.76-3.94 inches) tall. At a temperature range between 20-25 °C/68-77 °F it may take more than 3 months to show up roots.

Tillandsia cyanea
Tillandsia cyanea at Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava (botanical garden) Tenerife.