The Pink Quill Plant (Tillandsia cyanea) earns its “crazy hair plant” nickname from its distinctive, wild appearance, particularly its striking inflorescence. This article focuses on its unique characteristics and care requirements.
Identifying the Pink Quill Plant
The Pink Quill Plant (Tillandsia cyanea) features a rosette of thin, grass-like leaves, often medium green or reddish-green. These leaves can reach up to 14 inches long, sprawling outward from the plant’s center.
Its most striking feature is the inflorescence, commonly called a “quill.” This large, flat, paddle-shaped bract emerges from the rosette’s center, displaying a vibrant pink or red hue. Small, pansy-shaped purple or violet-blue flowers emerge sequentially from the edges of this pink bract, lasting only a few days each. The combination of spiky green foliage and the vivid pink bract with contrasting purple flowers contributes to its “crazy hair” appearance.
Caring for Your Pink Quill Plant
Light Requirements
Pink Quill Plants thrive in bright, indirect light. An east or north-facing window is ideal, providing ample illumination without harsh direct sun. Too much direct sunlight can scorch leaves and bracts, while insufficient light may result in fading colors and a lack of blooms. Artificial grow lights can supplement natural light if needed.
Watering Techniques
Unlike many air plants, Tillandsia cyanea benefits from water applied to its potting medium and misting. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically weekly in warmer months and less often in winter. Avoid letting water sit in the central cup or rosette for prolonged periods, as this can lead to rot. Distilled, filtered, or rainwater is preferable, as these plants are sensitive to minerals and chlorine in tap water.
Humidity and Temperature
These tropical plants prefer higher humidity, ideally between 50% and 70%. If the air is dry, occasional misting or placing a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot (ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water) can increase humidity. Pink Quill Plants flourish in average room temperatures, generally 60-85°F (16-29°C), and should be protected from cold drafts.
Potting Medium and Support
While Tillandsia cyanea is an epiphyte, often growing on trees in its native habitat, it uniquely grows well in a pot. A loose, well-draining, airy potting mix, such as an orchid bark or specialized bromeliad blend, is suitable. Avoid traditional dense potting soil, which retains too much moisture and can lead to root rot. The plant’s small root system primarily anchors it, absorbing some moisture and nutrients from its leaves.
Feeding Your Plant
Fertilizing provides essential nutrients for robust growth and vibrant blooms. During the growing season (typically spring and summer), feed your plant once a month. Use a diluted bromeliad-specific or general houseplant fertilizer at half strength, applied as a foliar spray or watered into the potting medium.
Common Pink Quill Plant Challenges
Browning leaf tips often indicate low humidity or water quality issues. Increase humidity through misting or a humidifier, and use filtered or distilled water to prevent mineral buildup.
A lack of bloom is typically due to insufficient light or environmental stress. Provide brighter, indirect light and consistent warm temperatures (around 75°F / 24°C) to encourage flowering.
The vibrant pink color of the quill naturally fades to green over time, particularly after the purple flowers have emerged and the blooming cycle concludes. This color change is a normal part of the plant’s aging process, and the main plant will eventually decline after flowering, producing “pups” or offsets that can be propagated.
Rot, especially at the base or in the central cup, usually results from overwatering or stagnant water. To prevent this, allow the potting medium to dry between waterings and always empty any standing water from the central rosette.