{"product_id":"air-plant-tillandsia-ionantha","title":"Air Plant Tillandsia Ionantha","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSky-High Scarlet: Tillandsia ionantha\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA versatile, soil-free wonder that transforms from silvery-green to a vibrant blushing red when ready to bloom.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History of Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-41\"\u003e: The genus name\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eTillandsia\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas established by Carl Linnaeus in 1738 to honor the Swedish physician and botanist Elias Tillandz.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003eThe specific epithet\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eionantha\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis derived from the Greek\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(violet) and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eanthos\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(flower), specifically describing the deep purple, tube-like flowers that emerge from the center of the plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMorphology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-40\"\u003e: As an\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eepiphyte\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-40 citation-end-40\"\u003e, this plant lacks traditional roots for nutrient uptake.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-39\"\u003eIts leaves are covered in specialized silver scales called\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003etrichomes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-39 citation-end-39\"\u003e, which act like tiny sponges to absorb moisture and minerals directly from the air.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-38\"\u003eThe plant grows in a compact, tufted\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003erosette\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eform, and during its \"blushing\" phase, the upper foliage undergoes a dramatic color shift to attract pollinators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHabitat \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-37\"\u003e: This is a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ewild species\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enative to the tropical forests and deserts of Central America and Mexico.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003eIt typically grows on trees or rock faces. Our specimens are sustainably farm-raised, ensuring that wild populations in the Neotropics remain undisturbed and protected from over-collection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCultivation Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e: None required. Mount on wood, stone, or place in a glass terrarium; avoid sitting in soil or standing water which causes base rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-36\"\u003e: Requires\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003efiltered, bright light\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-36 citation-end-36\"\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eIn the Indian subcontinent, keep away from direct midday sun, especially during the scorching summer, to prevent the trichomes from drying out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater\/Dormancy\u003c\/strong\u003e: Mist 3–4 times a week, or perform a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e30-minute soak\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eonce a week. In humid coastal regions like West Bengal, ensure high air circulation to allow the plant to dry within 4 hours. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler winter months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific\/Historical Anecdote\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-35 interactive-span-hovered\"\u003e:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eTillandsia ionantha\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebelongs to the Bromeliad family, making it a distant relative of the pineapple.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003eHistorically, early explorers were baffled by these \"air plants\" because they appeared to survive on nothing but wind, leading to the early misconception that they were parasitic, though they actually use host trees only for physical support.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e","brand":"Seedlings India","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47382492086421,"sku":null,"price":750.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/4384\/3733\/files\/5554853260.jpg?v=1779685133","url":"https:\/\/seedlingsindia.in\/products\/air-plant-tillandsia-ionantha","provider":"Seedlings India","version":"1.0","type":"link"}