The Tillandsia plants or air plants have become widely popular in the modern home gardening scene. They have become home gardener’s favorite choice of plants. This is in thanks to their ease of care, ability to grow soil-less, and their creative displays.They are perfect for those who love the look of greenery in heir homed decor but don’t have too much time on their hands.
Not just that, this family of plants is huge. With over 650 different species such as the Medusae air plant that we are focusing on in this post.
The scientific name of the plant is Tillandsia Caput Medusae. That said, it’s also known as Medusa’s head, medusa plant or the octopus plant. This plant is native to Central America and Mexico, where they grow on tree branches located in areas of strong sun. This fuzzy looking Tillandsia is silvery green in color with hues of purple throughout the base extending up towards the leaves. The Tillandsia caput medusae are xeric air plants which means that they can handle more direct sunlight and less water than other air plant varieties. Fun fact: these fascinating plants are ageotropic, which means that they will grow straight even when mounted horizontally or upside down. They do not turn or grow in response to gravity as many plants do.
The plant is a flowering plant that blooms in early summer when growing in its natural habitat. When cultivated, its flowering period is usually in spring to early summer. The vibrant violet-pink flowers are about 3.2 centimeters long. They arise from red inflorescences that are digitate and unbranched. They also produce pups or offsets after blooming.
Medusae Care
Tillandsia Caput Medusae plants are very easy to care for like other species of this family. They will not need you to take follow any complicated or lengthy care routines. Here are some of the requirements for this striking plant.
Water
The Medusa plant doesn’t need too much water. Unlike other air plants, it doesn’t even prefer to be soaked in water. You should use misting or spraying to water this plant. Mist it 2-3 times during summers and focus on the head of the plant rather than the bulbous base. There is good chance water will get trapped in the base of the plant, so you should allow the plant to dry completely.
If you do soak them, keep the soak short (say 10-15 minutes) and make sure to turn the plant upside down and shake it. During winters, you can reduce the misting to once a week or adjust the frequency if you feel like the plant is starting to wilt. If the leaves of the Medusa plant begin to curl, this indicates that the plant requires water.
Light
This plant prefers bright light with some shade. If you provide it with some morning and evening sun but not direct or against a shade, it works well. Putting it near a north-facing window that’s curtained is the ideal location for the Medusa plant.
Tillandsia Caput Medusae is an eye-catching sight with its leaves twirling in an extraordinary fashion. With a little care and attention that this plant demands, it can add uniqueness to your indoor locations, whether on a bookshelf or an end table. Do you want to add a Tillandsia caput medusae to your plant collection? Check out our shop link to grab one today:
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