Tillandsia magnusiana is a peculiar-looking, thin-leafed plant that is a member of the family Bromeliaceae. This plant is quite famous as an ornamental plant. It can be kept both outsides and inside your home. This air plant does not require soil for its growth and this quality takes off your responsibility of repotting. You do not need to worry about soil requirements. It is an epiphyte and uses its roots to cling to other trees or plants.
The nutrient requirements are fulfilled through water and air so this plant loves a good airflow. This plant is very easy to take care of. A lot of effort or work is not required for its maintenance. Its beautiful thin leaves add a modern yet minimalistic look to your home and workspaces.
All of these qualities attract a lot of plant keepers. If you are attracted to them as well you can read further to know about tillandsia magnusiana in complete detail.
Origin of Tillandsia Magnusiana
This plant mainly grows 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level. It originated from South America, southern Mexico, and western Mexico.
Discovery
Tillandsia magnusiana was discovered by the Swedish botanist, Marx Carl Ludwig Ludewig. Another scientific name given to this plant is Tillandsia plumosa var. Magnusiana.
Tillandsia Magnusiana Classification
Family: Bromeliaceae
Sub-family: tillandsioideae
Genus: tillandsia
Species: magnusiana
Genus tillandsia:
The genus tillandsia is a member of a massive Bromeliaceae family. This genus contains about 540 different species altogether. Plants from this genus are known as epiphytes or aerophytes as they do not need soil for growth.
This genus is seen to grow naturally in deserts, forests, and mountainous areas. They cling to other trees or plants as perches.
Features of the Tillandsia Magnusiana Plant
Size
The height of this epiphyte is about 2 to 4 inches. The plant has thin, green, and lush foliage which is approximately 3 to 5 inches in width. Some plants even grow up to 3 feet long despite their slow-growing nature.
Leaves
Its leaves are thin, lush, and soft to touch. Tillandsia magnusiana absorbs water through its leaves as it does not have roots. Leaves are covered with trichomes and can reflect most of the light falling on them. Soaking their leaves in water will do more damage to the plant. Therefore misting this plant is preferable.
Flowers
The plant blooms a beautiful lavender-colored flower with yellow stamens. The shape of this flower is tube-shaped and they grow in clusters on the plant.
These flowers add to the beauty of this plant and make your living space a treat to the eyes. After this flowering phase, the parent plant bears tiny air plants at the base.
Growth pattern
The growth pattern of this plant mainly depends upon if the plant is a result of seedling or propagation. If the plant is a result of seedling it will be a slow grower. It will grow about 1 inch for the first two years. You might not notice its growth at first. If the plant is as a result of propagation it will grow at a fast pace than the seedling one.
Tillandsia Magnusiana Care
Magnusiana air plant is very easy to keep both indoors or outdoors. A lot of effort is not required for keeping this plant alive. This makes it a very favorable plant to keep if you’re in a busy routine. Here is a quick guide for taking care of your plant.
Quick guide:
Water: Mist regularly
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
Humidity: Moderate humidity
Airflow: Good flow
Fertilizer: Twice a year
Water Requirements
Trichome is responsible in this plant for absorption of water as it is already stated that the plant does not have roots. Trichome is a layer on the plant leaves which needs regular misting for water absorption.
The frequency of watering will depend upon the environment. If it’s cold and dry you might want to increase misting sessions. If the plant is left dry for a long time, the leaves will start to wilt. When the surroundings are hot and humid you will require a low frequency of watering.
The most important point for watering this plant is to make it dry after misting sessions. Any water left on its leaves will harm the plant and its optimal growth process.
The Water Of Choice
Distilled water or soft water does not have enough nutrients. So you need to actively avoid this type of water. Filtered water is a good choice but after the chlorine in it has settled. If you have an aquarium in your place, then you can easily use aquarium water.
Sunlight Requirements
Sunlight requirements are divided according to the months of the year. From April to October, this plant can be kept in bright, indirect light. Your plant can survive fine both indoors and outdoors. While placing your plant outdoors you need to protect your plant from direct light to avoid burning.
From November to March they can be kept in direct sunlight. You can place them in front of your windows. You need to make sure your windows are not tinted. Along with this, fresh air is also required for this plant’s survival.
Artificial Light
Fluorescent lights can be used if you keep your plant indoors and you don’t have windows. Twelve hours of exposure to a good quality light will do the trick.
Airflow Requirements
A fresh, light breeze is perfect for tillandsia magnusiana. Firstly this plant needs airflow for its nutrient requirements. Secondly, a good flow of air is required to dry the plant after misting or watering.
Drying is one of the most important points in taking care of this plant. Four hours should be given to the plant to completely dry. Rushed drying is also not recommended.
Humidity Requirements
This plant is originally from tropical regions. Therefore it loves a humid environment. The best temperature for optimal growth is 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The humid and little warm surroundings are this plant’s favorite.
If you feel the level of humidity in your area is not according to this plant, you can install a humidifier. Humidifiers will control the level of humidity and make your home a suitable place for this plant’s survival.
Fertilizer Requirements
You need to fertilize your plant two times a year for its proper growth and development. Water-soluble fertilizers are a good choice for this plant. You can use this fertilizer in a ratio of 1:4. An air plant-specific fertilizer can also be used.
Overfertilization is not recommended at all and should be avoided at all costs.
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Tillandsia Magnusiana Propagation
Tillandsia magnusiana propagates by two methods one being seeding and the other is pup division. Its propagation is a very simple process and is explained in a stepwise fashion ahead.
- Firstly, take some gloves and a pair of sterile scissors,
- Then you need to submerge your plant into the water for a good 2 to 3 hours,
- Take out the plant and shake away the excess water,
- Now place your plant upside down on a table and look for the pups on the mother plant,
- Take your scissors and gently cut away a pup which is about one-third of the mother plant,
- Now place that pup in a bowl of water,
- You should immediately place your mother plant back and do proper misting.
This is the easiest and the preferred method for its propagation.
Tillandsia Magnusiana Mounting
This plant just needs the perfect space to sit in your home and it will make your home a lovely space. Its beautiful foliage looks very pretty when placed in hanging platters. It gives your living space a fresh glow.
You should keep in mind not to hang it in direct sunlight as it can burn its leaves. Always mount it at a place where the airflow is good so that their nutrient requirements are replenished. Proper mounting can also help with the optimal growth of this plant.
Growth cycle
Tillandsia magnusiana contains growth, maturation, blooming, and reproduction as the growth cycle. Tillandsia magnusiana produces flowers in the months of mid-summers and mild-winters. After flowering each plant will give 2 to 3 buds. They can be used for propagation as explained earlier.
Summary
Tillandsia magnusiana is an ornamental plant that is easy to keep. This plant is famous for its appearance and thin leaves. It also blooms flowers which helps it add a beautiful hue to your living area.
The plant doesn’t require much watering and soil is also not needed. This air plant gains its nutrients from the air and water. Although the plant should be dry at night and in between watering sessions.
It is also getting attention from scientists for hybridization and an increase in the number of species. This hybridization will make a lot of other species.
