Tillandsia Caput-Medusae
Tillandsia caput-medusae
Air Plants Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
Named after the mythological Medusa due to its snakelike, twisting leaves that emerge from a bulbous base. One of the most recognizable air plants, it produces striking red and purple flower spikes. The thick, curving leaves are covered in silvery trichomes.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Bright indirect (4-6 hrs)
💧
Water
Soak 15-30 mins once weekly
💨
Humidity
Moderate (40-60%)
🌡️
Temperature
18-28°C
🪴
Soil
None required - epiphytic
🧪
Fertilizer
Quarter-strength bromeliad fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during growing season
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Central America, Mexico, West Indies
- 📏 Max height
- 15-25 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 10-20 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Purple, Red
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Silver
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to pets and humans
- 🌱 Propagation
- Offset separation (pups) after blooming
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to pets and humans
Common issues
- Rot at bulb base from sitting in water, Mealybugs hiding in leaf curls, Leaf tip browning from low humidity
💡 Care tips
- Leaves resemble the snakes on Medusa's head,Prefers more humidity than many other air plant species,Produces a bright red inflorescence when blooming,Mount upside down for a dramatic living art display
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 7 days, fertilizing every 18 days.
