Tillandsia guatemalensis aka Pink Quill

Tillandsia guatemalensis requires moderate care and is suitable for growers with some air plant experience. The main challenges are maintaining adequate humidity (around 70%) and mastering the watering technique—the plant must dry completely between mistings to prevent rot. Once you establish a consistent care routine with proper air circulation and bright indirect light, this species is quite adaptable and rewarding to grow.

Tillandsia guatemalensis forms a compact rosette typically 30-50 cm (12-20 inches) in diameter with around 20 elegantly curved leaves measuring 15-40 cm in length. When in bloom, the spectacular flower spike emerges from the center and can reach heights of 45-70 cm (18-28 inches). This is a slow-growing species that takes several years to reach maturity and produce its first bloom.

Tillandsia guatemalensis thrives in temperatures between 10-32°C (50-90°F), with an ideal range around 20-25°C (68-77°F). The species is frost-sensitive and should be protected from temperatures below 10°C. In its native cloud forest habitat, temperatures are moderate year-round, so avoid extreme heat or cold and sudden temperature fluctuations.

Tillandsia guatemalensis produces one of the most spectacular blooms in the air plant genus. The tall inflorescence (45-70 cm) emerges from the rosette center, featuring vibrant pink to red bracts with tubular lavender to purple flowers. The bloom can last several weeks. After flowering, the mother plant will slowly decline but produces offsets (pups) to continue the cycle. Adequate bright light is essential to trigger blooming.

Tillandsia guatemalensis is propagated through offsets, called "pups," which form at the base of the mother plant after flowering. Wait until pups reach approximately one-third the size of the parent plant before separating them. Gently twist or cut the offset away, then mount it on bark, cork, or another suitable surface. Provide high humidity and bright indirect light while the new plant establishes itself.

Tillandsia guatemalensis requires minimal pruning. Simply remove any dried, dead, or damaged leaves as needed by gently pulling them away or using sterilized scissors. After flowering, the spent flower spike can be cut off. The mother plant will naturally decline after blooming while producing offsets—this is normal and cannot be prevented. Focus on caring for the developing pups rather than trying to save the parent.

As an epiphyte, Tillandsia guatemalensis doesn't require traditional repotting since it grows without soil. Instead, you can remount the plant if it outgrows its current display or if the mounting material deteriorates. Simply attach the plant to a new piece of driftwood, cork bark, or rock using non-copper wire, fishing line, or waterproof adhesive. Ensure the new mount allows for good air circulation around the base.

Regular misting naturally keeps the leaves clean. If dust accumulates, you can rinse the plant under lukewarm water or give it an occasional soak. Use rainwater, distilled, or filtered water as this species is sensitive to minerals in hard tap water. Ensure the plant dries completely within 4 hours after watering—shake out excess water from the center of the rosette to prevent rot.

The most common issues are mealybugs and scale insects, which appear as white cottony masses or brown bumps on leaves. Remove them by hand or with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Rot is the most serious threat, caused by overwatering or poor air circulation—prevent this by ensuring the plant dries completely between waterings. Fungal issues may occur in stagnant, humid conditions without adequate airflow.

In its native Central American cloud forests, Tillandsia guatemalensis is primarily pollinated by hummingbirds. The bright pink to red bracts attract these pollinators, while the tubular lavender flowers are perfectly shaped for hummingbird bills. Like most Tillandsia species, this plant is self-incompatible, meaning it requires pollen from another plant of the same species to produce seeds. In cultivation, seeds are rarely produced without hand pollination.

Tillandsia guatemalensis can grow outdoors year-round in USDA zones 9-11 where temperatures stay above 10°C (50°F). Mount it on trees or in sheltered locations with bright filtered light and good air circulation. In cooler climates, grow it outdoors during warm months but bring it inside before temperatures drop below 10°C. Protect from direct midday sun, heavy rain, and frost.

Yellow leaves on Tillandsia guatemalensis typically indicate overwatering or insufficient drying between waterings. If the base of the plant feels soft or mushy, rot may have set in. Other causes include too much direct sunlight (causing bleaching), mineral buildup from hard tap water, or natural aging of lower leaves. Ensure proper watering technique: mist or soak weekly, but always allow the plant to dry completely within 4 hours.

Brown leaf tips usually indicate dehydration or low humidity. Increase misting frequency and consider placing the plant in a more humid location or near a humidity tray. Brown patches or spots may result from sunburn if the plant receives direct sun, or from mineral deposits in tap water. If entire leaves turn brown and dry, they may be naturally dying off—this is normal for older lower leaves.

Drooping leaves usually signal dehydration. Give the plant a thorough soak in room-temperature water for 20-30 minutes, then shake off excess water and let it dry completely. If the plant has been consistently underwatered, it may take several soaking sessions to recover. However, if the base feels mushy and leaves pull away easily, the plant may have root rot from overwatering, which is difficult to reverse.

Pink Quill’s native range is the Americas.

Pink Quill does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

To ensure the health of your Pink Quill, it's crucial to use a potting soil that won't hold too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to store-bought cactus soil is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Pink Quill thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Gallitos.

Pink Quill prefers dry environments, so misting the plant to provide extra humidity and allow water to linger on the leaves can create an ideal environment for fungi that can be harmful.

The growth rate of Pink Quill is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

During the wintertime, it is common for Pink Quill plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.