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In this blog, we’ll discuss the physical characteristics of hydrated and dehydrated air plants. Since Tillandsia absorb water and nutrients through their leaves, a freshly hydrated plant will have wide, open leaves with a flat surface. As the plants transpire, or lose their internal water supply, the leaves will gradually start to wrinkle and curl inwards, giving the plant an overall tight or closed appearance.

While the plants’ blooming cycle is typically at the peak of their maturity, it is also the beginning of their reproductive cycle in which offspring, also known as “pups”,  are formed. This means the plants will naturally start fading after they have produced pups that are mature enough to survive on their own and not when the blooms have passed.

Here we will explore each phase an air plant experiences in its lifetime and discuss care tips for the different cycles to ensure a healthy plant from the beginning to end.

Air plant...hmm? Does that mean they live off of air alone? Are air plants just set-it-and-forget-it plants? Are they even living? These are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about tillandsia at Air Plant Supply Co.

Plant lovers know the immense satisfaction of when their love and hard work pays off and their plant babies finally bloom! Tillandsia do not bloom until they reach maturity and, thus, are ready to produce off-spring or pups. That being said, there are actions you can take to guarantee your plant reaches maturity and is healthy enough to bloom.

Along with their unique physique and robust blooms, Tillandsia air plants are favored among plant lovers due to their simplicity and low-maintenance care. However, once in a while air plants do require additional care to keep their fresh appearance and ensure optimal health.

Valentine’s Day can be stressful...you want to give your significant other the perfect gift. A gift that’s not too basic, but not too out there. A gift that shows them exactly how much you care, without being over the top....

Once you receive your new set of Tillandsia air plants, you may notice that some of the species are completely green while others tend to be brown towards the bottom. While this may raise concern, rest assure that a darker base does not always indicate the plant is dead or unhealthy.

Air plants can be susceptible to health issues due to environmental factors or improper care just like any other plant or living thing! By reviewing this list of topics, you can be confident in diagnosing and preventing health problems to grow happy and healthy air plants.

Air plants thrive in outdoor settings throughout all regions of the United States during the warmer months of the year. However, air plants are tropical species so moving them indoors if or when temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will be necessary for wintertime survival. 

Before learning about how to care for your air plant, it's important to know where they come from. Understanding your plant’s native climate is the first step in knowing what kind of care it needs! The names for the climate designations used to classify air plants, or Tillandsia, are Hydric, Mesic and Xeric. 

Having trouble with air plant care?  This list includes some of our best practices tips on how to care for your air plants!

Once you have the basics of air plant care down, it is important to consider other environmental factors that may be harmful to your plants. Curled copper wires to hold or stand-up your air plants or glass terrariums faceted with copper could be harmful if they are indeed made out of pure ‘Cu’.

Thank you so much for ordering our handmade Christmas Trees! For every tree sold, Air Plant Supply Co. will donate an extra $3 to support our primary schools in Guatemala. Once you finish admiring its beauty it is time to water the tree. Follow the instructions below.

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.

Here at the Air Plant Supply Co., we have found that air plants do best when you soak them in water. It's important to remember that air plants take in all their nutrients through their leaves not through the roots.The roots serve only to attach the air plant to a host tree or rock or even the ground, nothing more.

Spanish Moss is probably the most common Air Plant in the United States. In fact, I’m sure you’ve probably stumbled upon it. Think of that quintessential southern city. Is it Savannah, Charleston, New Orleans, or perhaps even the home of Air Plant Supply Co., St. Augustine, Florida.

A member of the Bromeliad or Bromeliaceae family, Tillandsia consists of a genus of approximately 540 species. Most commonly found in South America, Central America, parts of Mexico and the southern-most border states of the United States, these plants thrive in the deserts, mountains and forests areas of these regions.

Tillandsia Tectorum, one of our customers' favorite air plants, is native to Ecuador and Peru where it can be found growing in large populations on Andean cliff faces and outcroppings. The large, fuzzy trichomes and overall whimsical appearance appearance of the plant have made it exceptionally popular among both air plant novices and enthusiasts.

What’s better than a small family of beautiful air plants? Answer: A large family of air plants and pups! Your air plants want to pass on their genes and will eventually start growing small “pups” at their base.

The Ionanthas are a special type of Tillandsia and probably one of the first air plants that you will encounter in your search for small plants. The Tillandsia Ionanthas are generally 1-3 inch tall plants that look like a miniature version of the top of a pineapple with several pointed leaves.