Air Plant - Tillandsia caput-medusae (purple striped, enhanced) [4.0-5.0"]

Highlights

Air Plant - Tillandsia caput-medusae (purple striped, enhanced): Named in reference to Medusa's snakes, Tillandsia caput-medusae has particularly curly leaves emerging from a very rounded bulb. Leaves will curl tighter when the plant is dry and straighten when it is re-hydrated. This variety is enhanced with stripes of plant safe purple airbrushing. The dye can fade with several months of regular watering.

Air Plants (Tillandsia) - Care Information

Tillandsias are low-maintenance plants that require no soil, just plenty of water, sunlight, and airflow. There are three main watering strategies: mist generously 3-7 times a week, submerge completely 2-4 times a week, or soak for 1-2 hours once a week. To prevent rot, shake excess water out of crevices and give enough airflow for the plant to dry within 4 hours. Air plants need all the indirect sunlight they can get and should only be kept in low-light rooms temporarily. They can tolerate direct sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon, and it can even bring out brighter pigments in the leaves. Arrange them with sand, sea glass, rocks, or shells, but avoid absorptive materials like soil and moss.

Full Air Plant (Tillandsia) Guide

Product Size

Air Plant (no pot)

Current Primary Color

Green

All Seasonal Colors

Purple / Black

Bloom Color

Pink Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Low Indoor Light

Maximum Height

9"-12"

Special Characteristic

Hard to Kill, Showy Blooms, Pet Safe, Slow Grower

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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3 years ago

What does enhanced mean See answer

On the air plants it describes them as "enhanced" just wanna be clear I understand the description. See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Air Plants tagged as "enhanced" are airbrushed with a plant-safe dye that gives them their vibrant colors. We also have non-enhanced Air Plants with just their natural colors. See full answer »

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1 year ago

What does 'enhanced' mean ? See answer

I assume is is hybridized but would love to inow with what? See more »

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

This actually refers to the colors of the air plants. Enhanced air plants are air brushed with non-toxic paint. This paint doesn't damage the plant but will wear off in time. See full answer »

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4 months ago

How is ''infused" different from enhanced? Can I infuse it myself once it has faded? See answer

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4 months ago  •  Staff Answer

Infused means that the whole plant is lightly coated in a plant safe dye while enhanced means that only a portion of the plant is dyed (i.e. the tips of the leaves, stripes, etc.). If you had access to a plant safe dye, you could infuse it yourself, just be sure not to use too much. See full answer »

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3 years ago

The low indoor light varieties I'm looking at say to plant in a deep pot. How many inches is that? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

If the plant comes in a 2" pot, I'd plant in a pot that's, at least 3.5" deep. However, I wouldn't plant it in a pot that's deeper than 5" to start. Haworthia like their roots to be a little tight so be sure not to over pot it at first. See full answer »

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1 year ago

Can you recommend indoor lighting? Full spectrum, grow spectrum? Any preferred brand? See answer

Zone 4/5 here. My succulents live indoors in the winter and need supplementary light to avoid stretching. Would love to know what artificial lights you use/recommend. Full spectrum (white), grow spectrum (blue/purple), other? Do you have a preferred brand of lighting? How many hours extra are needed for soft, hard, other, succulents? See more »

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes! You can find grow light specs and recommended types here on our Guide to Grow Lights for Succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/blog... See full answer »

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2 years ago

We keep our home at 65° year round. The indoor succulents seem to struggle indoors but outside gets too hot See answer

We live in north central Arkansas. It gets brutally humid and hot during the late spring, summer, and early fall months. I have all my succulents on my west facing porch because the backyard belongs to our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Would getting a porch shade be a good idea for the summer in late afternoon? All my succulents get the mid afternoon sun and I know it's too much for some of them but bringing them inside our too cool temp home doesn't help either. Even when I put them in an East facing window they still don't seem to do so well because of the indoor temp. See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The only issue with porch shades is that they're frequently too shady. If you erected some kind of shade using shade cloth designed for plants, that could help. You wouldn't need it to be too shady, roughly 30%-40% would do the trick.

However, 65°F isn't too cold for many succulents. Especially once the radiant heat from direct sunlight in an south facing window is factored in, that you wouldn't feel in the air. The issue may have more to do with humidity than temperature. Looking at the relative humidity predictions for Stone County (just as an example) it's suppose to get over 70% in the near future! This makes watering more tricky as plants don't dry out nearly as quickly as they should and rot can set in as a result.

If your house is less humid than it is outdoors, then moving them inside may do them more good than shade cloth outside. In fact, shade cloth may only further prolong drying and exacerbate the problem. See full answer »

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3 years ago

Which type of succulents will grow best in an east facing window in an all white room? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Your best bet are low light succulents. They'll get some morning sun but no more. Click the link below to see all our low light succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/expl... See full answer »

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4 years ago

What kind of soil should I use with succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Shop Succulent Soil Here

Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.

IN POTS…

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4 years ago

When should I plant my succulents after they arrive? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.

Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.

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4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.

Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength

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