Caput-Medusae Air Plant

Light Needs

Bright Indirect Light

Mature Height

6 - 11 Inches

Mature Spread

6 - 11 Inches

Feature

Pet Safe

Caput-Medusae is a unique-looking, flowering air plant and one of the most popular of the genus Tillandsia. They are part of the family of plants known as epiphytes, which anchor themselves to other plants. Their natural habitat is Central America and Mexico where you’ll find them growing on tree branches, rocks, or any surface that isn’t planted in soil. This allows them to get filtered sunlight from the tree canopy while their raised fuzzy hair or scale-like structures on their leaves absorb nutrients, humidity, and organic material from the environment–not from their roots. Caput-Medusae will tolerate a range of conditions and still thrive. 

Best Locations For Growing Caput-Medusae Air Plant

This plant is best grown in a warm location mimicking either a greenhouse environment or its natural tropical habitat. Provide plenty of bright indirect light, high humidity, and temperatures above 60 degrees, ideally between 65 to 86 degrees F to encourage flowering. Your air plant is versatile and can be mounted on a large tree branch, a piece of wood, a rock, or a specialty display. 

Caput-Medusae Air Plant Sunlight Requirements

Caput-Medusae loves bright light. Grow it in plenty of bright ambient sunlight, but avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch the plant's leaves. 

Caput-Medusae Air Plant Care

Air plants love warm, humid environments and appreciate adequate airflow. Moderate to high temperatures help this air plant to flower. Provide a good soaking a few times a month on top of regular misting.  

Watering Caput-Medusae Air Plant

Using rainwater or room-temperature filtered water is ideal. If you only have tap water, set a bowl of tap water out for 24 hours so some of the chlorine and other chemicals can dissipate.  Mist your air plant with a sprayer frequently, sometimes daily during the summer or dry months. Look closely at the leaves: if they have started to shrivel or curl, the plant needs moisture. 

Give your air plant a deep soak about once a week, fully submerging the plant for about 20 minutes. Then very gently shake out the excess water and place your air plant upside down on a towel and allow it to air dry for a few hours before returning to its designated spot. Be careful not to let water collect in the bottom leaves as this may cause rot. If you live in a particularly dry area, a once-a-week deep soaking followed by regular misting will keep your air plant healthy and happy. 

Feeding Caput-Medusae Air Plant

You can add a diluted fertilizer when watering once a month during the spring and summer months. Air plants are sensitive to strong fertilizers, so using a weak fertilizer is best. We recommend a basic bromeliad or orchid fertilizer that promotes bloom.

SKU:

Air_Caput.Medusa