Out of Stock
Tillandsia usneoides (Thick Form)
£10.00
As the title suggests this is a thicker leaved form of the ever popular Tillandsia Usneoides.
Possibly the most widespread airplant, Tillandsia Usneoides (or spanish moss as it’s commonly known) with it’s long stems of silvery foliage has found many decorative and more practical uses over the years.
Neither moss nor from Spain, Usneoides goes under many names.
- “Usneoides” – ‘usnea’-an type of epiphytic lichen, ‘oides’ from the Ancient Greek ‘εἶδος’ meaning likeness. i.e. looks like usnea
- “Spanish moss” – Considering it’s apparent resemblance to the epiphytic lichen and the fact it is found in many of the former Spanish colonies of the South Americas, this needs little more explanation.
- “Old Man’s Beard” – This name stems from tales of where the plant came from… In 1947 Wyndham Hayward reported on a legend that the great Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto persued an Indian Maiden through the forest and up a live oak tree. During the chase his gray beard became entangled in the tree, giving the maiden an opportunity to escape. De Soto freed himself, but several wisps of his beard were left behind. The remnants became Spanish Moss.
- “Vegetable Wool”, “Southern Moss”, “Black Moss” & “New Orleans Moss” – in 1930′s America, a new industry arose around Tillandsia Usneoides. Throughout the Florida and Louisiana regions, factories processed the airplant on a commercial scale. The tough inner fibres were processed for use as the new upholstering material. Described at the time as ‘odorless, sanitary, naturally mothproof, to have a lasting resiliency which is surpassed by that of only the best grades of horsehair’, the processed inner core of the airplant was used in the upholstered seats of streamline trains, transcontinental busses, airplanes, yachts, deluxe trailers, mattresses, household furniture, and even the early Ford Model T cars are said to have been upholstered using it.
- Flower colour: Yellow/ Green
- Watering: Moderate
- Light: Moderate
Supplied as a small bunch of strands, approximately 30-40cm (roughly 12″ – 16″) in length.
Out of stock
Sue Gantlett (verified owner) –
This is a great plant, with thick but very soft leaves in an extremely attractive silver colour. It came as several strands about a foot long, already wired together with a hanging hook on the top end so that you don’t hang it up the wrong way. A nice bunch which I was able to separate into 3 different lots, so one each for three different rooms. Looks great hanging from the shower rail in the bathroom, can’t wait for it to spread all over the house!
rosemary (verified owner) –
I bought a few of these some months ago to test if I could look after them in view to buying more as Christmas pressies , so with great success I’m buying more . So pleased with them
D Baker (verified owner) –
Lovely plants arrived in excellent package.very good.
A J Hodge –
I obtained two varieties of Tillandsia usneoides (thick form) a couple of years ago from Craftyplants and have been very pleased with them, but it wasn’t until tonight when I was checking for pests in the greenhouse that I realised the pleasant scent that had been a bit of a mystery to me for some time was coming from half a dozen or so little flowers from each bunch. A delightful surprise from such delicate little flowers.
Desert Plants of Avalon (verified owner) –
AMAZING and very beautiful plant and arrived PERFECT and so healthy 😀 Thank you again Crafty plants, 😀
Selwyn hughes –
What a super service i got on my first visit to crafty plants super quick post lovely packaging super healthy plants.i will be back
Stella (verified owner) –
Bought 6 bunches of this beautiful plant a few weeks ago. Separated each bunch into 3 lots and attached one below the other to jute twine with mini daisy hair clips, giving 6 strings of moss nearly 5 feet long to make a fabulous living window curtain. Loving these plants! Arrived really healthy, well packaged and just found a flower bud today! 🙂 plus found 1 errant strand of fine form hiding in a bunch… amazing contrast and surprisingly surviving as a lone strand as yet. Highly recommend these plants to lighten the long weeks of lockdown!
Rachel (verified owner) –
Bought two bunches along with several other air plants to plant up a reptile vivarium. They arrived well packed and healthy and look great, as well as creating a nice area of cover for the inhabitant to hide/climb in. Will be buying more to add to an existing vivarium.
Myles Roberts (verified owner) –
I ordered three of these (thick type) to hang from a basket containing a Vanda orchid. Not only did they arrive very well packed in tissue paper but in perfect condition. I’m very happy with my purchases. Many thanks.
Flavio Ferreri (verified owner) –
I ordered two of these about a month ago. Gorgeous, thick silvery leaves, very healthy plants. They were packed so well that they arrived in perfect condition and are already thriving, growing new leaves and embellishing our home. Actually, I’m more than happy with all my purchases from CraftyPlants. Each time I’ve ordered from them, I got healthy plants together with the best possible packaging and service. Thank you guys!