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- Easy Care
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
- Above Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 5-6 inches
- 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.
Caput-Medusae Air Plant Information
| Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light |
| Care Requirements: Easy |
| Watering Requirements: Above Average - Water-loving. Mist 3-4 times a week or soak twice a week. |
| Pet Friendly: Yes |
| Kid Friendly: Yes |
| Air Purifier: High |
| Habit: Upright |
| Growth Rate: Fast |
| Mature Height: 5-6 inches |
| Mature Spread: 5-6 inches |
| Flowering: Yes |
| Flower Color(s): Purple, Red |
| Flower Shade/Description: Violet, Red |
| Fragrant: |
| Foliage Type: |
| Foliage Color(s): Green, Silver |
| Foliage Description: Green, Silver |
| Temperature: 73° - 82°F (23° - 28°C) |
| Humidity: High |
| Common Name: Caput-Medusae Air Plant |
| Other Name(s): Octopus Plant, Medusa's Head |
| Scientific Name: Tillandsia caput-medusae |
| Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Air_Caput.Medusa
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Know As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Know As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Know As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.