Nicknamed the Linguine or Shirley Temple due to its curling leaves, the Tillandsia streptophylla is a stunning xeric air plant. Native to Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies, it thrives in low humidity areas due to its abundance of trichomes.
Tillandsia streptophylla has pastel green leaves and is quite fuzzy due to the dusting of trichomes along its leaves. The word “streptophylla” means “with twisted leaves.” The drier the conditions are, the more curly this plant will be, and its leaves will curl into tight ringlets (like Shirley Temple’s iconic hair).
Just before it blooms, it will blush reddish pink and will emit a beautiful light pink inflorescence with white buds that are frosted with trichomes. These white buds will bloom purple flowers. If kept outside, these flower bracts will attract hummingbirds!
They prefer more sun and less frequent waterings than many air plant varieties. We recommend dunking or misting the T. streptophylla instead of soaking as water can get trapped in its pseudobulb (meaning that its bulbous base is hollow) and cause the plant to rot.
And for those of you in Florida, like me, yes - we also need to water these plants! There are a few species native to the Sunshine State but most of the species we buy in plant shops are not native & need more than just natural Florida humidity. So if you’ve had one die on you...that’s likely why! And because they don’t need (or even want) soil, it makes them super simple to display inside or out! Because this specia likes to remain a bit drier than other air plants it is NOT recommended for closed terrariums!
The size will vary as each is unique.
Light: Bright indirect light; indoors or outdoors
Water: Once a week
Pets: NON-TOXIC