A recognizable feature of the Deep South in the USA is Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) on trees. The gray, hairlike strands that dangle from countless branches create a surreal atmosphere.
In floriography, the term ‘moss’ represents a sentiment of maternal love. Spanish moss has diverse uses, is easy to cultivate, and possesses unique attributes. Continue reading to learn the truths about it, as well as how to grow it in your garden.
Facts About Spanish Moss
It belongs to the bromeliaceae family (bromeliads) and is referred to as Spanish moss.
Native American tribes call it ‘itla-okla’ or more appropriately ‘tree hair.’ Spanish moss is an epiphyte, meaning it requires other trees to grow. Unlike parasitic plants, Spanish moss does not take nutrients from the trees. Rather, it derives water and nutrients from the air while hanging on trees, through sunlight, rain, dust, and fog.
The Spanish Moss Plant resembles a flower with brown, green, or yellow blooms that are hard to distinguish. However, it does feature thin stems with scaly leaves that resemble a hang that can be spotted from trees.
This tree hair isn’t just curious to look at, it also has some fascinating facts.
What You Might Not Know About Spanish Moss
Is Spanish moss actually moss?
No, it’s not a moss. It is a flowering plant related to pineapples and succulents. Moreover, It is classified in the usneoides family.
Does it come from Spain?
No, despite the name, Spanish moss is considered to be native to the American continent. It can be located in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands and parts of the southern United States.
Where can you find it in these regions?
It grows best in tropical swampland regions where moisture is ample. In the United States, it ranges from Virginia to Texas.
How did it get its name?
French explorers gave the name ‘Spanish moss’. They were reportedly motivated by the famous beards of the conquistadors.
How does it absorb water?
Gray scales can be found dotting the surface of these plants. These scales can preserve moisture before it is used up by the plants. Its cells can also keep water reserved for times during the dry spells.
What causes Spanish moss to grow on trees?
It spreads itself on festoons – minuscule bits that attach to some sort of frame that allows them to anchor. Once these festoons get to proper prop support like bushes or trees, they start growing as hairs that will subsequently be utilized to dangle on trees, or beautify the tree.
Spanish Moss Varieties
We have different hybrids that adapt well to home gardens, and thus Spanish moss is more useful than we thought. The following varieties are some of the more popular variations in the species.
| Common Name | Origin | Leaves Characteristics | Flower Color | Visual Identification |
| Maurice’s Robusta | Mexico | Thick leaves Gray-green color | Yellow or yellow-green hue | Image courtesy |
| Odin’s Genuina | Guatemala & Mexico | Very fine leaves Silver color | Yellowish-brown | Image courtesy |
| Silver Ghost | Paraguay | Fine leaves Greenish-gray color | Greenish | Image courtesy |
| Spanish Gold | South America | Slender leaves Gray-green color | Yellow | Image courtesy |
| Nezley | Cross-pollinated usneoides with mallemontii | Silver | Light purple | Image courtesy |
| Old Man’s Gold | Cross-pollinated usneoides with crocata | Silvery-green | Yellow | Image courtesy |
What is Spanish Moss Good for?
Spanish moss has different uses depending on the creature:
- It can be used for building bird nests, and serve as a nesting place for small animals and some enthusiastic bugs.
- Bats can easily sit on its strands during the day and take flight at night.
- It offers protection for animals, including lizards, frogs, chiggers, and snakes.
- In the evening, butterflies are able to rest in it.
Spanish Moss serves more ornamental and landscaping purposes for people than anything else. It is commercially sold in arts and crafts as well as used as a bedding in flower gardens.
Is Spanish Moss Harmful to Humans?
It does not have many forms of diseases due to being a hardy plant. The only way other plants will be in danger is if it becomes too much for them to cope with because of dense and canopy like growths which will block the leaves of the host plant. In such cases, the host plant’s growth will be stunted.
Pests and Diseases of Spanish Moss
It’s a hardy plant and is not susceptible to disease. It only becomes a problem for other plants if it grows thick enough to block the leaves of the host plant. If this happens, then the growth of the host might be stunted.
“Spanish moss should be heated through in the oven for at least half an hour before use to kill fungus, mold, or pests. When Spanish moss is used as mulch in landscaping, the heating step can be skipped, but care should be taken to avoid snakes while harvesting and spreading it.” -Flora Lawn
How To Cultivate and Care for Spanish Moss
Ideal Growing Conditions
The most notable requirement is that it needs a shrub or tree to use as a host.
Like other mosses, Spanish moss thrives in warm temperatures. It grows best in USDA hardiness zones seven through eleven. It also appreciates bright, indirect sunlight.
The most effective way to accommodate this is to provide morning and evening sun. Air circulation is also important since they rely on the air for nutrients.
When growing it indoors, avoid placing it near hot windows or walls. Such locations may heat the moss up too much, causing it to dry out, or even burn.
Ensure that your Spanish moss has something to grow on, such as driftwood or other decorative objects indoors. Make sure it is placed in proximity to a window, but not where it would be exposed to direct sunlight in summer.
Planting: How to Start Spanish Moss
From Other Spanish Moss
The simplest method to establish Spanish moss in your garden is by division propagation. This method employs the separate side shoots and plantlets.
For those residing in the Deep South of America, it should not be too difficult to locate one out in the wild to get a cutting from. Otherwise, live moss can be obtained from specialty stores or online.
From Seeds
Cultivating it from seeds is a slow process that requires copious amounts of patience. Spanish moss can take several months to grow a single centimeter.
Spanish moss can be sown on well-draining soil and placed on a sunny windowsill to grow. While humidity assists with seed germination, excessive dampness later on can cause the sprouts to rot.
Humidity is a vital aspect of care when growing Spanish moss indoors. As with outdoor Spanish moss cultivation, ensure it is watered on all sides to prevent it from drying out.
Keeping Spanish Moss Alive
Only use distilled, purified, or rainwater for watering. Avoid chlorinated water without exception.
Strive to keep your Spanish moss as moist as possible and mist it whenever it is dry. If damp, the plant should not be misted because excessive moisture is also counterproductive.
Chlorinated water should not be used, without exception. To ensure it does not dry out, watering it on all sides is vital.
Since the plant uses itself as fertilizer, it does not typically require fertilization. If it is discolored or growing poorly, spray it with a compost tea made from equal parts compost and water.
If you are cultivating Spanish moss as an indoor plant, then humidity remains an important factor to consider. As is the practice when growing the plant outdoors, ensure that you water it from all sides to prevent it from drying out.
Spanish moss and other similar plants might benefit from additional nutrient support when grown indoors due to the relative paucity of nutrients available in indoor air. Use high-phosphorus fertilizers diluted to half-strength.