Ball Moss
By Victor
In
Ball Moss2019-10-222022-03-23/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/logo2.pngGarden Style San Antoniohttps://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/small-ballmoss-tillandsia-recurvata-650x650-1.jpg200px200px
Ball Moss
–
Tillandsia recurvata
Ball Moss; Small Ball Moss; Heno de bola
3
–
6 inches
3
–
6 inches
Central Texas
Texas
Full Shade
Full Sun
Part Sun/Shade
Very Low
Evergreen
Birds




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About This Plant
Sun or shade. Evergreen, with dull silver leaves growing in a small sphere and found clinging to branches. Ball moss gathers all the nutrients it needs from vapor and air. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not a parasite; it’s an epiphyte, using its tree only for structural support.
Ball moss is a distant cousin of pineapple and belongs to the bromeliad family. It lives where it can find the light, high humidity, and minimal air flow it requires — hence it is especially common on the limbs and branches of live oaks and other dense trees (including clipped crape myrtles.) It’s also common on power lines.
The seeds are spread by wind, and germinate wherever they find a horizontal surface upon which to adhere.
Maintenance
Occasional thinning and removal can be done if ball moss become dense enough to shade out tree leaves. It requires no supplemental water or fertilization, and will not grow in soil.
Features
Plant Type:
Perennial
Size:
3-6" H, 3-6" W
Sunlight Requirements:
Full Shade, Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Types:
Wildlife:
Birds
Flower Color:
Purple
Bloom Time:
September, October
Freeze Hardy:
Yes
Invasive:
No
Caution:
None
Coupon Eligible:
No
This plant goes well with
- Ulmus crassifolia
- Lagerstroemia indica
- Quercus fusiformis
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