Starting to blush!
Ionantha Fuego are one of the most popular little air plants in the world. They are only two inches tall and one inch wide.
The Tillandsia ionantha fuego is a such a colorful and fun little air plant.
The Ionantha Fuego has short, waxy leaves that are vibrant bright green. When in bloom it produces some of the most spectacular blooms of yellow, red and violet flowers.
This type of ionantha is native to Mexico and areas of Central America, where it grows with abundance and color.
The ionantha fuego is a very low maintenance air plant, making it perfect for “green thumb” challenged individuals!
This variety of Tillandsia is known for being a quick grower, and as it matures will create many “pups” which will eventually clump into a ball like formation.
During the bloom cycle this variety will change to shades of amazing deep reds eventually shooting out white, purple, and blue flowers!
They are great for crafts, terrariums and mounting.This air plant variety prefers very bright indirect sunlight.
The small size of this variety of ionantha lends it to endless design possibilities.
Tillandsias are low-maintenance plants that require no soil, just plenty of water, sunlight, and airflow. There are three main watering strategies: mist generously 3-7 times a week, submerge completely 2-4 times a week, or soak for 1-2 hours once a week. To prevent rot, shake excess water out of crevices and give enough airflow for the plant to dry within 4 hours.
Air plants need all the indirect sunlight they can get and should only be kept in low-light rooms temporarily. They can tolerate direct sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon, and it can even bring out brighter pigments in the leaves. Arrange them with sand, sea glass, rocks, or shells, but avoid absorptive materials like soil and moss.
Key Takeaways:
- Bright to moderate indirect light
- Water 2-3 times a week depending on environment and species
- Good air circulation
- Temperatures between 50F-95F
For more in depth care instructions keep reading…
Tillandsia Ionantha Fuego are easily cared for. They have fine but strong hair like roots that grow for the purpose of anchoring the plant to it’s mount – not for transmission of nutrients. As such, these plants prefer warm to hot temperatures, humidity, and air circulation. In zones 9 +, these plants can survive outdoors but should be protected from temperatures below 50°. Fuego airplants may be grown in artificial environments, provided they are misted regularly, provided 12 hours of filtered or artificial sunlight, and moving air. Like all tillandsia, they do not require soil and only require occasional fertilization.
Like all tillandsia, Ionantha fuego air plants will eventually die after blooming. But, before they do they will produce “pups”, “Offsets”, or “Offshoots” – all three names mean the same thing. These pups will match the parent plant and can be left to grow on the mount or can be broken off when mature and mounted somewhere else. If your air plant appears sick after blooming, it’s NORMAL. DO NOT THROW IT OUT, but continue to care for it as you usually do. Watch for pups to emerge.
Your air plant is only fully exhausted if you can pluck the leaves out of the central plant without effort. Usually this is the result of over watering and rot. Plants that die naturally will tend to still be tough and simply dry out and wither.