Funckiana Air Plant: Overview

Tillandsia Funckiana is an adorable air plant with spiky, silver-green foliage and a characteristic twisted stem shape. It’s a soil-free epiphyte, which absorbs nutrients from the air and doesn’t need soil to grow. This Tillandsia grows by forming clumps of smaller plants around the parent plant. This lovely flowering plant will bloom with elongated, scarlet red flowers (some varieties produce yellow blooms).

The Funckiana plant grows to about 6 inches long, resembling a small pine branch. These plants thrive in warm temperatures and high humidity, hence they are ideal for hardiness zones 9-12. They make ideal indoor plants for humid spaces or terrariums, but you can also grow them outdoors as porch plants in warmer climates.

Native to high-altitude areas of Venezuela and Columbia, Tillandsia Funckiana belongs to the Bromeliad family. This beautiful small plant has a lifecycle of several years, only blooming once in its lifetime. Once it stops blooming, this Tillandsia forms several new plants (pups) that you can detach and propagate. Growing best in bright but filtered light, Funckiana is relatively low-maintenance and pet-friendly.

Tillandsias symbolize freedom, resilience, purity, and creativity. The Tillandsia plants were believed to bring prosperity and good fortune in Incan culture.

Other gorgeous air plants include the quirky, tangled Butzii Air Plant and the cute, spider-like Tillandsia Bulbosa Air Plant. 

Benefits of Air Plants

• Wonderful air-purifying plants that are hypoallergenic, making them suitable for people with allergies
• Mess-free plants that don’t require soil to grow
• Versatile placement possibilities make it ideal for interior decoration
• Unique beauty with a tropical vibe
• Easy-care plant
• Non-toxic to pets

Tillandsia Funckiana: Care Guide

Funckiana air plant is easy to grow. Here are some essential air plant care tips that will help you keep this unusual plant happy:

Watering and Humidity

Water your Tillandsia Funckiana by submerging it in a tub of water. Keep the flower above the water if your plant is in bloom. Use filtered or rainwater since these tropical plants can be sensitive to chemicals in tap water. Overwatering can easily lead to root rot, so make sure there is no leftover water on the leaves after soaking by letting your plant drain upside down on a towel or soft cloth.

For the best Tillandsia Funckiana care, increase the humidity around your plant by misting it regularly. You can also use a humidifier or place your plant in a humid space, like a kitchen or a bathroom.

Light and Temperature

Your Funckiana plant will thrive in bright, indirect light. Keep it away from scorching direct sunlight, but provide sufficient light for best growth and flowering. Keep your air plant in warm, stable temperatures of 60℉ - 90℉. This plant can grow outdoors if temperatures don’t fall below 60°F.

Feeding and Propagation

Feed your Tillandsia air plant by adding one-fourth of the recommended fertilizer dose into the water where you’ll soak your plant. Stop fertilizing during winter. You can propagate your Tillandsia Funckiana by carefully detaching the pups that will form at the base of your plant after blooming. Wait until the pups are at least half the size of the mother plant.

Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues

You don’t need to prune your Tillandsia plants; you can remove the damaged leaves. Clean your Tillandsia by soaking it in water. Always allow the air plant to dry thoroughly to prevent root rot. Crisp, browning leaves show that your air plant needs more humidity and water.  

Funckiana Air Plant: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants

The wonderful Funckiana air plant looks exotic and exudes a unique tropical vibe. Use this gem of a plant to decorate your living space or add a personal touch to your office.

Best Locations & Uses

• Perfect for plant lovers with pets as it’s pet-safe
• Suitable for beginner indoor gardeners
• Great office, bathroom, or bedroom plant that requires no soil
• Ideal for terrariums, wood mounts, or glass bowls
• Unique and memorable gift plant

Companion Plants

Match your delightful air plant Tillandsia with other small plants to create a mini indoor garden:

• Aloe Vera Plant (Aloe barbadensis): A popular succulent that is famous for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, Aloe Vera is easy to care for and drought-tolerant.
• Guzmania Bromeliad (Guzmania bromeliad): With a brightly colored central inflorescence, the easy-care Guzmania Bromeliad never fails to draw attention with its alluring tropical beauty.
• Echeveria Elegans (Echeveria elegans): A lovely easy-care mini succulent with charming flowers, Echeveria Elegans forms a rosette and often develops baby plants around its base, earning it the nickname Hen and Chicks Plant.

Alternative Plants

If you are intrigued by the fascinating and strange world of air plants, consider some of these beautiful plants:

• Ionantha Guatemala Tillandsia Air Plant (Tillandsia ionantha): A cute epiphyte with a cone-like shape, the Ionantha Guatemala Tillandsia blooms with a spectacular, bright purple flower when mature.
• Tillandsia Silver Queen (Tillandsia): With its arched, silvery foliage, the Tillandsia Silver Queen resembles a star; its soft, velvety leaves form a rosette with a central inflorescence consisting of red and yellow spikes.
• Tillandsia Velutina Air Plant (Tillandsia): Soft and light green normally, the Tillandsia Velutina turns a bright pinkish red right before flowering; this neat, soil-free plant is ideal for offices.

Get the Cute Tillandsia Funckiana From Lively Root Now

Add an exotic vibe and character to your interior space with a unique Tillandsia Funckiana from Lively Root!