What's going on everyone? Welcome back to the epic gardening podcast. Today we're talking about Spanish moss.

Everyone knows what Spanish moss is. It's that stuff that gently sways in the breeze as it drapes over the branches of an old oak tree in the south, right?

But what really is Spanish? Is it actually Spanish? Is it actually a moss or is it something else entirely?

Today we're going to take an in-depth look at the most commonly grown air plant in the United States,

which was a surprise to me when I learned it as well.

I did not think that it would be the most commonly grown air plant. which was a surprise to me when I learned it as well.

I did not think that it would be the most commonly grown air plant

in the United States.

We're going to learn about its history, its growth habits,

and a few common uses for its foliage.

So first, the name Spanish moss actually originated as Spanish

beard. Native American tribal people called it Itla Ocla, which meant tree hair. Some French people thought that it resembled a

conquistador's long beard and began calling it Barbay Espagnol, which I probably

butcher or Spanish beard, while Spaniards retaliated by referring to it as

Cabello Frances or French hair, it never really caught on.

So it's Spanish Moss. Now there are a few different types of

Spanish Moss and let's clear something up right now. Spanish Moss is not even a

moss at all. It's a Telansia which is a member of the bromeliads which is a It's also an epiphyte and what epiphyte means is that it lacks normal roots and instead takes its nutrition and moisture through its foliage.

Now, that means that the way to care for Spanish moss is going to be quite unique compared to most

other plants.

So overall, it is pretty easy to deal with, but it is a unique plant that is grown in a completely different way than you would grow let's say a typical house plant.

First of all, let's get into light. The plant likes indirect but bright lighting most of the time.

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