Old Man's Beard Tillandsia usneoides
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Old Man's Beard:
- Phonetic Spelling
- til-LAND-see-uh us-nee-OY-deez
- Description
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Spanish moss is an epiphytic, evergreen herbaceous perennial in the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). It is native to the southern USA, along with Mexico, Central and much of South America. The species epithet means “like Usea,” which is a genus of lichen.
Spanish moss is noted for its pendulous silver leaves and stems that dangle down from the limbs of trees, especially live oaks. The adult plant has no roots, and the gray scales on stems and leaves are its means of obtaining moisture and nutrition. It needs high humidity and pollution-free conditions to grow. It will need occasional pruning to prevent it from becoming too heavy and causing branch breakage or causing too much shading for the tree. It is readily propagated by division by tearing off a piece of the plant and placing it on a suitable support, such as a tree limb, driftwood, or wooden basket. Spanish moss needs no watering or fertilizing when grown outside. It can be grown indoors with bright light and humid conditions. Indoor plants will need occasional watering (allowing the plant to dry between waterings) and will benefit from periodic application of liquid fertilizer (diluted to half-strength or less).
The slender long stems attach themselves to trees, either when the seed germinates on the limb or when a fragment of the plant blown by the wind lodges in the tree. The plants produce small, green flowers that are seldom noticed. It can be used as mulch, a packing material and insulation or for arts and crafts.
Grow this plant outside in the appropriate hardiness zone or as a houseplant. Indoor plants can spend the summers outside under trees or pergolas.
Quick ID
- Dense, drooping, gray moss-like clump has no roots
- Leaves are cylindrical & covered with gray scales
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: none.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Container Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tillandsia
- Species:
- usneoides
- Family:
- Bromeliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The fibers were woven into a coarse cloth that was used for bedding, floor mats and horse blankets. The fibers could be twisted into cordage that was used as rope. Many other uses for this plant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Souther USA, Mexico, Central & South America
- Distribution:
- SE USA from NC to Texas
- Wildlife Value:
- Several species of bats including the Seminole bat roost in clumps of Spanish moss. Yellow-throated warblers and northern parulas build their nests inside clumps of living Spanish moss. Several other species of birds gather the moss for nesting material. There is at least one species of spider that only occurs in Spanish moss. It has been used as fodder for cattle.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Small capsular fruit. The seeds have tufts of hairs that allow them to float on the wind and stick to tree branches.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are solitary, green; petals <0.25 inch; bracts gray, scale-like. Blooms for 3-4 months in summer to fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are awl-shaped alternate, simple, linear, entire, cylindrical (terete), succulent, gray-green, densely covered with absorbent gray scales, to 1.5- 3 inches.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stem is wiry, flexuous, with widely spaced internodes to 2.5 inches. It can hang down up to 20 inches long.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Houseplants
- Pond
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden