Tillandsia Duratii is a drought-tolerant hardy air plant that is native to South America. Often found high in treetops, Duratii has silvery-green thick leaves that curl around trees and shrubs for support.
Quick Guide
How To Care For Tillandsia Duratii
Tillandsia Duratii is relatively easy to grow and adapts well to a wide range of light and temperature conditions. I recommend hanging this plant in an upright position as it can grow quite large and heavy.
Also, the leaves can become quite stiff and break off so sensitive handling may be required. I love the way some leaves grow horizontally and curl at the ends, resembling an octopus.
Moderate feeding is required, about once a month, and like most air plants, Duratii particularly likes good air circulation so if kept indoors a porch or conservatory is a good location.
How To Water Tillandsia Duratii
Tillandsia Duratii is a drought-tolerant species so watering is relatively easy. I recommend soaking once a week if you keep your plant in a room that has poor air circulation.
Soaking for about 20-30 minutes is fine. However, if the room gets plenty of air movement misting your plant 3-4 times a week should be sufficient, and result in a happy air plant.
Remember to hang or position your plant upside down if you soak this species to help remove any excess water.
The thick, curly, twisting leaves can harbor excess water and lead to rot so give the plant plenty of time to dry after soaking.
How To Propagate Tillandsia Duratii
Removing pups/offsets from the parent plant is easy if you let the pups mature. I’ve found that you can remove the pups earlier from this species than most air plants due to the plant’s hardy nature.
I wait until the baby pups are roughly a quarter to a third of the size of the mother plant before separating them. Gently pull the pups away from the parent plant and if necessary use a sharp sterile knife or a pair of scissors.
It’s always a good idea to allow the offsets to callous over and heal for a few days before mounting or hanging the new plants.
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Flowers And Expert Tips
I am not surprised that Tillandsia Duratii is very popular with air plant enthusiasts. The blooms/flowers often show longer than other Tillandsia species, certainly the xeric species.
Blooming can last as long as 3-4 weeks and produces a beautiful grape-like smell. Very few air plants have fragrant flowers so this species is quite special.
The long inflorescence/flower stalk can reach 50-80 cm tall and produces lilac or purple flowers with white centers. Do not soak your plant if it’s in bloom, the flowers are very sensitive.
Tillandsia Duratii Varieties And Hybrids
Duratii is native to South America and can be found across a wide range including Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil.
Two varieties currently exist.
- Tillandsia Duratii var. Duratii
- Tillandsia Duratii var. Saxatilis.
Both varieties are very similar in size and shape, however, the var. Duratii flower spikes are upright and close to the inflorescence stem, whereas Duratii var. Saxatilis flower spikes are curved and point outwards.
My favorite Duratii hybrids are
- Tillandsia ‘Charles McStravick’
- Tillandsia ‘Don Malarkey’
- Tillandsia ‘Jackpot’.
