Spanish Moss is not a moss at all - it is a member of the Bromeliad family and is actually a flowering plant. Tillandsia usneoides, the scientific name of the plant, is native to tropical and subtropical climates in places such as Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Central America, South America, West Indies, Australia, and the southern United States. Depending on the native habitat, it may also be known as "tree hair", "Spanish Beard", "French Hair", "Silver Ghost" (Paraguay) or even "grandpa's beard", such as it is in French Polynesia. The primary range for growing is the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and through Argentina.
Spanish moss consists of one or more stems bearing alternate and thin, curly leaves. Leaves grow vegetatively in a chain-like fashion to form hanging structures up to 20 feet in length. Unlike other Tillandsia, Spanish moss has no aerial roots and is grown from seed or by fragments. This plant is known to grown hanging from tree branches in full sun to partial shade. A habitat of high-humidity or swampland is preferred. The "El Normale" variety is considered the "normal" variety and is somewhat finer. It is also full of green in tints, tones, and shades (may appear darker from further away).
Still not impressed by its neat characteristics? Spanish moss has also been used over the years as building insulation dresses, roofs, privacy fences, a mulch, packing material, mattress stuffing, fibers and in tales. It was also used commercially in the early 1900s as padding for car seats. In some parts of the United States, dried Spanish moss is used in evaporative coolers where a technique using water, the plant, and a fan all serve to help cool buildings.
*****The Spanish moss for sale in this listing is gathered on randomly-chosen colored wire that can be removed if not required.*****
SMALL clump size is approximately 12 - 18" long and weighs between 1.30 - 1.75 oz
*You will receive a plant similar to the one(s) pictured. Plants may or may not have dried end or broken leaves or be in bloom*
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Foliage:
Multiple thin, curved or curly, heavy-trichome leaves that are 1-2.5" long and 0.04" wide, grown in a vegetatively, chain-like fashion.
Blooms:
Tiny and inconspicuous flowers in brown, green, yellow, or grey.
Fruit:
No
Zoned:
8-11
Environment:
Medium to high humidity. It will usually tolerate indoor levels with slight difficulty. Grows best in 60-90 degrees F and will tolerate as low as 30 degrees for a short period of time. Needs good air circulation.
Light:
Bright indirect to semi-direct light. Try to avoid North-facing windows due to lack of sufficient lighting. In very low areas of light, the plant with wither and die. If growing outdoors, it requires part shade.
Water:
It is recommended to thoroughly mist every 2-4 days or soak twice monthly for up to 10 minutes at a time. Decrease watering if the humidity levels are higher or the plant does not dry within four hours. Gently shake the plant to dislodge water then place upside-down on absorbent material until the leaves are thoroughly dry. If growing outdoors, this plant may require more water depending on the sun intensity. Soggy leaves or overly damp crown/base may encourage leaf drop and disease. Decrease water in winter.
Fertilizer:
This plant does require a little more fertilizer than other Tillandsia during the growing period. If you choose to fertilize, use a balanced fertilizer ever 2 weeks for plants to reach full potential. It is advisable to use a epiphyte fertilizer mix or a general-purpose fertilizer diluted to 1/4 of the directions.
Notes:
This plant is not considered toxic, but should not be consumed. Plants are shipped with light wrapping and padding according to import/export regulations. Shipping usually occurs on Monday and Tuesday to minimize risk of damage to plants in transit. You may request shipping Wednesday - Friday provided your understanding the live-arrive guarantee is void. USPS First Class mail is offered, but not suggested - warranties are void due to extended time in transit and contents not being insured. Prior to shipping, please contact the me with questions or concerns. Pot, driftwood, or grapewood in images not included. All sales final.