It is well if attached to a piece of cork bark and suspended from the ceiling of the greenhouse or garden room. First wrap sphagnum moss around the roots, then use plastic-covered wire to bind the plant and moss to the bark. From then on periodic immersion of the plant and bark in a bucket of water seems to be all they require to succeed. In fact, Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss) will grow perfectly well without compost or moss, simply by draping it over any convenient support. The thread-like fOliage is silver-grey in colour and can add considerably to the interest and appearance of a plant collection.

T. cyanea is quite different. It has recurving green foliage, and in time the most exotic bracts appear, pink in colour. From the sides of these bracts petunia-blue flowers are produced in summer over a period of several weeks. To increase plants the clumps are teased apart and individual pieces are planted in peaty compbst and subsequently into compost similar to that suggested for bromeliads.

Giving a plant an interesting common name can make a deal of difference when the time comes for the nurseryman to dispose of it. This being so it is odd that the commercial grower does not give more space to producing the pick-a-back plant.