Old Man's Whiskers / Spanish Moss

This amazing plant is a wonder of nature, in habitat it appears to live only on air.

Tillandisia usneoides is a member of the Airplant family.

A plant consists of hundreds if not thousands of individual plants, growing in long strings, with new plants forming at the tip.  Small green flowers and unusual long seed pods appear in Summer.

Spanish Moss does not produce roots and can be tied or draped on objects, the moss grows well in shade outdoors or in good light indoors.  Avoid hot or dry environments and full sunlight.  Spanish Moss will tolerate full sun in moister climates, in arid climates it must be sheltered.

Watering is essential for good growth, a soaking every day or two in Summer and fortnightly in Winter will keep the plant at peak condition.  Occasional fertilizer in the water will speed up growth.  Spanish Moss does not suffer from diseases or pests other than birds that can use the plant as nesting material in Spring.