Plant guide
Air plant
Tillandsia ionantha
Tillandsia ionantha is non-toxic to cats. Chewing plant material can still upset the stomach, so keep it away from persistent nibbling.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Tillandsia ionantha only. Air plant is a shared common name; identify the botanical name before applying this guide.
Photo:
Photo details
Tillandsia ionantha — Flowers
By Andrey Zharkikh
License: CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Plant shopping
Explore this plant
Photo:
Photo details
Tillandsia ionantha — Flowers
By Andrey Zharkikh
License: CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Ionantha air plants
View on Amazon — ionantha air plants; paid link; opens in a new tabPaid link · Opens in a new tab
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
A little paw-note: We may earn a commission when you buy through these links. This helps us keep building and helps Nico & Larry sustain their lavish kitty lifestyle.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Look for Tillandsia ionantha and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Tillandsia ionantha
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
Find the right spot
How to grow this plant
Tillandsia ionantha only. Air plant is a shared common name; identify the botanical name before applying this guide.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Bright, indirect light.
- Watering
Water thoroughly and regularly; gently shake excess water from the leaves.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
No preferred numerical temperature range established.
- Humidity
High humidity is preferred; it does not replace watering.
- Potting
- Do not plant in soil; grow on a suitable mount or in an unfilled holder.
- Through the year
- Remove pups to propagate if desired. Use diluted fertilizer during active growth.
Growing-guide sources
- Tillandsia ionantha ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Tillandsia ionantha only. Air plant is a shared common name; identify the botanical name before applying this guide.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Pet-safe plants (version 1) ↗Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Accessed
Listed by the source as Tillandsia species. VPIS lists Tillandsia species in its pet-safe list (printed version 1, August 2023, page 1). NC State identifies this species within Tillandsia. This is a genus-inclusive mapping, not an ASPCA species entry.
- Tillandsia ionantha ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
- Air plant: source assessment ↗Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Accessed 2026-10-16
Safety last reviewed .