Tillandsia usneoides
Spanish moss
Southeastern United States to South America
Overview
Tillandsia usneoides is a rootless epiphyte that hangs from tree branches in chains reaching 3-20 feet (0.9-6 m) long, occasionally longer. It is not a true moss but a flowering plant in the pineapple family. The slender, curved gray-green stems and thread-like leaves, each 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, are covered in overlapping silvery scales that absorb water and nutrients from the air and rain. The plant has no roots and draws nothing from its host tree, anchoring only by twining around bark and twigs. Small, fragrant, pale green to yellow-green flowers about 0.2 inch (5 mm) wide open singly in spring and summer and are easy to overlook. Tiny seeds bear feathery plumes that catch on bark, and stem fragments also disperse on wind and birds. Growth is slow, and dense curtains build up over many years. Heavy growth can shade host foliage and add weight that breaks weak limbs, though the plant is not parasitic. Color shifts from frosted gray in dry air to greener tones after rain.
Native Range
Native to the warmer parts of the Americas, from the southeastern United States south through Mexico, Central America, and much of South America to Argentina and Chile. Grows in humid forests, swamps, and live oak and bald cypress canopies, mainly below 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in frost-free or near-frost-free climates.Suggested Uses
Draped over trees, arbors, and trellises in mild, humid climates for a hanging gray-green effect, and grown indoors as a hanging air plant. Dried strands are used as packing, mulch, and craft and upholstery stuffing. Outdoor use is limited to frost-free or nearly frost-free settings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 20'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers from spring through summer, mainly April to July, with scattered bloom at other times in warm climates. The small pale flowers are fragrant at night and last several days each. Seed capsules ripen over the following months and split to release plumed seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale green to yellow-greenFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight