What are Air Plants?

What are Air Plants?

Air plants are actually called Tillandsias, which happens to be part of the Bromeliaceae or Bromeliad species. They have also been labelled as Epiphytes, as they do not need to have soil to grow. The air plant is often found in the jungles, mountain tops, and deserts, of Central and South America, and Mexico and the the southern United States in North America.

Air plants are a variety of Epiphytes, meaning they need no soil to develop. They actually do call for a platform to commence growing. These plants are not parasitic and use their host for a method of support. The plant receives its nutrition within the moisture and dirt fibers drifting in the air. The roots are mainly implemented as a means of attaching itself to the supporting subject.

Tillandsia Juncifolia in Guatemala 

Tillandsia Juncifolia covering the branches of a giant Ceiba tree in Guatemala.

Looking after these kinds of plants is reasonably simple. Frequent watering, beneficial air circulation and brilliant filtered light are very important aspects for their well-being. Immerse your plants once weekly in h2o for approximately 20 minutes or you can mist them all completely 2-3 times each week. If they live in a container or dish, enable them Three or four hours of drying time prior to relocating them back with their storage containers. Air plants take in the carbon monoxide from the air at night time rather than the day time. If the plant is damp, it can't breath effectively. Based on this info, it's always best to water in the morning. Make certain every container employed allow for ample air flow. Under no circumstances leave your plants in direct sunlight for extended intervals, they like filtered or indirect light.

Air plants flower once in their lives, but will develop pups or offspring during this period. Pups usually stays linked to the parent or could be segregated using a delicate twist/pull action at the bottom of the plant after the pup is one-third to one-half the length of the parent. In the event that the pups stay connected, merely eliminate the parent leaves when they wither and die. This will allow the pups to speedily fill the bare area.

Bulbosa Seedlings attaching themselves to a branch
Bulbosa seedlings attached to a narrow tree branch in the wild.

Air Plants could be grown just about anyplace. They may be added to driftwood, aged picture frames, seashells, or pottery. Make absolutely certain to not ever affix those to pressure treated wood, copper objects or copper cable because this will destroy your plant. Generally there are reasonably priced specific glues you may buy if you choose to attach them all.

Air plant design with vertical garden display

A vertical garden with many species of tillandsia. 


5 comments


  • Barbara fregon

    How do you fertilize them and with what?


  • waniya

    When i tried to grow it it didn’t grow. What is the solution?


  • Meg White

    I’m super pleased with the speed of my delivery, the health of the plants and the job your company did with wrapping my products. I will order again and share this website with friends.


  • laura n.

    Hey Christian! Thanks as always for info, but specifically on copper being a big NO for airplants. I almost made a tragic mistake with mine. You and your team are great, thanks for being so available!


  • Christian

    I love this air plant care page :)


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published