Spanish Moss Growing Zones
However to harvest seed from spanish moss you have to be there at exactly the right time.
Spanish moss growing zones. Because of its climate preferences spanish moss grows best in zones seven through 11. However spanish moss can tolerate temperature down to 22 f 5 c. It is known as grandpas beard in french polynesia. In many parts of zone 9 spanish moss grows abundantly.
It naturally grows in the southeast in the coastal plain south of a line from southeastern virginia to central georgia west to southern arkansas to the southern tip of texas. Spanish moss tillandsia usneoides an iconic fixture in trees throughout the southeastern united states is hardy in u s. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. Spanish moss also needs the warm humidity of a tropical or subtropical climate to thrive.
Its preferred environment is a healthy tree in tropical swampland thriving. It just hangs over them growing longer and longer. In the united states from where it is most known it is commonly found on the southern live oak and bald cypress in the lowlands swamps and marshes of the mid atlantic. It is fluffy and easily carried away on the wind like dandelion seed is which means that the very few seeds each flower produces are whisked away on the breeze.
In the united states spanish moss growing zones are found in moist areas of the deep south from texas to virginia. When the wind gets up bits of it break off and if that part is blown onto another branch it starts to grow there. Spanish moss always grows on the branches of trees and shrubs but it s not a parasite. To overwinter it keep the spanish moss indoors hanging near the sunny window at a temperature around 50 to 70 degrees f 10 and 21 c.
It also reproduces from seeds produced after the tiny greenish flowers are pollinated. The biggest requirement needed as an air plant is a tree or shrub to grow from. You can actually grow spanish moss from seed as well. Thankfully there are quite a few uses for spanish moss in the zone 9 garden.
Spanish moss is an epiphytic flowering plant that often grows upon larger trees in tropical and subtropical climates native to much of mexico bermuda the bahamas central america south america the southern united states west indies and is also naturalized in queensland. In cooler zones spanish moss dies in winter as it can t tolerate temperature below 50 f 10 c for a long time.