Does Lowes Sell Air Plants

Which air plant requires the least maintenance?

Harris’s Tillandsia
Caput-Medusa Tillandsia
The Tillandsia ionantha
fuchsii Tillandsia
Tectorum-type Tillandsia
Streptophylla Tillandsia
Tillandsia aerophylla
Capital Tillandsia
Tillandsia spp.
Byzantium butzii
Twig-leaved Tillandsia

#1: Tillandsia harrisii

The air plant Tillandsia harrisii has rosette-shaped leaves that are soft and fuzzy and have a silvery color. You shouldn’t have any trouble locating them for sale, like here, as they are generally accessible. This fuzzy air plant is a member of the xeric group, which originates from hotter regions of the earth.

This would imply that T. harrisii doesn’t require a lot of watering and can survive if you neglect it occasionally. For newcomers and busy individuals, that is excellent news. Your plant needs watering if you notice that it’s less fuzzy and seems dry.

Additionally, because T. harrisii prefers bright light, you can place it close to a window or ledge where it will receive indirect light the majority of the day and bright, unfiltered light in the morning and afternoon. Use fluorescent lights similar to these in a workplace or throughout the winter (that applies for all air plants).

Where can I grow an air plant the most successfully?

All air plants are native to tropical regions where freezing temperatures never occur. It’s crucial to keep them at a reasonable temperature without a sweater, right? typically from the 1960s or earlier. Keep them away from windows that are cold in the winter and air conditioner vents.

At least a few hours of bright, indirect sun each day are necessary for air plants to thrive. The optimal placement is between one and three feet from an east or west-facing window, or around two feet from a source of artificial light. They can be exposed to hotter, more direct sun for longer periods of time if you maintain them well-hydrated. Avoid areas that are poorly lit.

How old are air plants on average?

Perennial plants are tillandsias, also referred to as air plants. According to the source, they have a lifespan of between two and five years, which indicates that they normally survive longer than two years.

The type of air plant and the growing conditions have an impact on how long they live, though. They reside in deserts, on various surfaces, and on tree branches in their natural habitat (other surfaces they can grow on).

Air plants only experience one flowering during their existence, which marks the culmination of their development and maturity.

Depending on the species, the flowers might remain in bloom for a number of months. However, the air plant will begin to die when the blossoms start to wilt and fade. Air plants develop pups or offsets before they die to carry on the same growth cycle.

Despite the mother plant dying, you can take the pups out and raise them separately. Separating the pups from the mother is referred to as “division is a method of air plant propagation.

As an alternative, you might leave those puppies grouped together ” (also known as “tillandsia balls).

Which air plant is the most beautiful?

You must already be aware that because air plants are epiphytes, they may grow without soil. And if that wasn’t intriguing enough, these plants are even more remarkable because their roots are hidden! But hold on, read about some of the greatest Types of Air Plants on this list before you buy some of them.

Tillandsia ionantha

One of the most well-known types of air plants, it is also referred to as the sky plant. During its final days of life, it produces vivid blossoms, and the glossy, greenish-silver leaves adds to its beauty. It thrives in a tropical climate and has short stems because it is a bromeliad.

How should I choose an air plant?

Choosing a healthy Tillandsia, sometimes referred to as an air plant, is quite similar to choosing any other type of plant.

Air plants don’t use their roots to obtain nutrients or water, contrary to the general rule that you should choose a plant with a strong root system. It doesn’t matter if an air plant has roots or not; you shouldn’t be concerned.

Nursery:

You can typically get a sense of the overall health of the plants when you visit a nursery. There shouldn’t be any weeds, the area should look green, and each plant should have few imperfections.

Foliage:

There are many distinct kinds of foliage seen on air plants. Some are bright and smooth while others may have a velvety texture. Some are green while others are more silvery green.

a few illustrations of sound air plants showing the variations between them.

Avoid any plants with yellowing or browning leaves, as well as those whose edges appear dry.

When you give the leaves a small squeeze, do they feel flexible but firm, or do they crunch? The plants should look bushy and uniform, with well-filled-out leaves that are spaced fairly evenly.

Dyes and Paints:

In an effort to increase their appeal to consumers, some people add paint and/or dye to the leaves of air plants.

We would advise you to stay away from artificially colored plants because we don’t know how hazardous these dyes and paints are.

Additionally, the paints and dyes have the potential to obstruct sunlight from reaching the leaves, which would stop photosynthesis.

Asking the shopkeeper whether the plants have been “artificially boosted” may or may not reveal the truth. The plant below is a good illustration of what not to purchase; we noticed it at a garden center operated by a major store. The following arrangement is tragic and not even close to being worth $24.98.

Before you visit the nursery, it’s a wonderful idea to become familiar with the plant you want so that you are aware of its actual color, shape, and size.

The use of a smartphone to look it up while examining the plant is quite beneficial.

Can I water my air plants with tap water?

I wanted to go into more detail about this because our Facebook Page gets a lot of questions about how to water air plants. Although tillandsia, often known as air plants, are simpler to maintain than many other plant species, they still need some care and attention, and water is crucial to their general well-being. Here are some frequently asked questions about watering air plants along with our suggestions:

This mostly relies on your climate, where you’re keeping the air plants, the Tillandsia species itself, and the environment in which it naturally grows (learn more about mesic vs. xeric air plants here). Since most of the year is humid where we live in Tampa, Florida, we don’t run the heat in our home as often as our friends in the north do (I’m not trying to pick on them, I swear!). We typically water our plants twice a week, but drier climates require more frequent watering. Depending on the season, you may discover that you need to water your plants less. Additionally, it depends on where you put them at your house or office. The plants will stay more wet in a humid bathroom, but you’ll probably need to water them more frequently if they’re close to an air vent or a heat source. (Note: We don’t advise keeping your plants close to heat sources.)

It should be noted that while humidity might slow down drying, it in and of itself is insufficient for watering.

Again, you should modify your watering practices according to your climate and the species of your air plants, but for the majority of air plants and surroundings, we advise that you immerse your plants in water at least once a week. Use something that allows you to totally submerge the air plants, like a bowl, bucket, or your sink. Give them a lengthier bath for an hour or more every other week if you live in a dry area. Soak for 30 to 60 minutes at least once a week. You might wish to shorten the soaks if you reside in a location with higher humidity or if your air plant is more xeric in nature.

You should allow the air plants to completely dry after soaking. They can either be let to dry with their leaves facing down or turned over and gently shaken. If water is allowed to sit in the leaves, the plants risk rotting. The plants should be placed in an area with sufficient airflow, and they should be able to dry entirely in less than four hours. Before bringing your plants back home, ensure sure they are entirely dry if they are in a globe or terrarium.

You will observe how open and wide the leaves are after soaking your plants, as well as how much more “happy” they seem. A well hydrated air plant should appear like this! You’ll learn over time that if the color starts to look a little dull and the leaves start to close or curl, your tillandsia are thirsty and you should give them another nice wash. Try soaking your air plant for several hours or even overnight if it is really struggling to see if you can rehydrate the plant. Always allow them to totally dry off before soaking or spraying them once more.

Between waterings, you can spray the plants. If you live in a dry region, this might be a terrific method to keep plants healthy and offer them some additional care. However, unless you have one of the few species of air plants that appreciate low moisture, such as T. tectorum (for which we only advocate misting) or T. xerographica, misting is not a replacement for a thorough soak (which we recommend dunking instead of soaking).

When it comes to water, air plants aren’t particularly finicky; most tap water is suitable, although it depends on the water quality in your location. The most nutrient-rich types of water to utilize are rainwater, aquarium water, or pond water. If utilizing one of these types of water, don’t add any more fertilizer. Allow the water to rest for several hours to allow the chlorine to dissolve if you’re using tap water (maybe 24 hours in some areas.)

Use water that is not distilled since it is too “pure” and will deprive the plants of the nutrients they require. Additionally, artificially softened water should not be used since Tillandsia cannot tolerate its high salt concentration.

We advise soaking your air plants in the morning so that they can dry completely over the day. Additionally, air plants utilize the nighttime hours to breathe carbon dioxide, so if they are wet in the evenings, they won’t be able to do so effectively. This method is known as CAM; to learn more about CAM, read our page on how air plants breathe. You can check on them before you go to night and place them back in their terrariums or displays. Some indirect sunlight will help them dry more rapidly.

These are the queries about watering air plants that we encounter the most frequently. Did we respond to yours? If not, just inquire! Need advice on caring for air plants? Visit our page on air plant care.

comments

Regarding watering the plants with blooms, I have a query. How do you water them if, as I understand it, you don’t moisten the bottoms or the blooms? Do you bring all of your indoor air plants inside during the winter? Although it doesn’t get very cold very often where I reside in Largo, Florida, it does occasionally. Since we don’t have snow, I believe the wind to be the main issue with the cold. Please lend me any assistance you can.

I recently purchased an aquarium, and in order to ensure that my three air plants receive continuous moisture in the office, I planned to tie them to a branch and let them sit on top of the tank. Do I still need to sprinkle and soak them as usual if the water that has evaporated from the tank should be plenty for them to receive?

Our well water passes through a water softener, which I should have mentioned in my previous query. They would be set up here if they could just survive on smoke.

Since we live in north-eastern Washington, rain has not been an option for us. Instead, we use well water, which I won’t even drink. I use spring water to water my air plants because I purchase it and drink it. I haven’t had them long, but they seem to be doing fine. Is using spring water for irrigation problematic?

Due to hydration issues, I do not advise attaching air plants to driftwood. In retrospect, it sounds apparent, but I was new to air plants and lost five of my six because the wood kept too much water when I first gave them a soak.

Can spider plants be grown indoors?

Look no further if you need assistance selecting your first air plant to cultivate and maintain. Here are some choices for plants that are suitable for everyone.

Lady-of-the-Night Orchid

Due to its nocturnal habits, the lady-of-the-night orchid (Brassavola Nodosa) is a species of Brassavola air plant.

It’s good to know that this air plant is simple to grow, has persistent inflorescences, and can readily fill a sizable area with its nighttime aroma.

This orchid has white, beautiful flowers and an unmistakable, powerful citrus aroma that it releases at night to entice moths that pollinate plants at that time.

Vanilla Bean Orchid

You might be surprised to learn that an orchid is the source of the well-known and adored vanilla flavor!

The only orchid commercially grown for its source of vanillin, the flavor of vanilla, is the vanilla orchid, more specifically Vanilla planifolia.

Important: These air plants are far more difficult to produce than Brassavolas. The orchid’s blossoms only bloom for one day and it grows like a vine.

Even though you wouldn’t soon be harvesting and earning vanilla, it’s still beneficial to explore growing it as a curiosity to have your own modest vanilla farm.

Dancing Lady Orchid Air Plant

The Oncidium orchids, sometimes known as the dancing lady orchids, are a diverse group of orchids with equally unique traits.

Oncidium sphacelatum, often known as the “Kandyan Dancer” due to its similarity to a Sri Lankan dancer, is the elegant lady in the picture above.

The chocolate-scented Oncidium Sharry Baby is another well-known Oncidium orchid.

The distinctive chocolate scent and exquisite shapes of these orchids are not to be missed if you intend to develop a vibrant and fragrant collection of air plants.

Lady’s Slipper ORCHID

The slipper-like pouches on their petals are what give lady’s slipper orchids, or Cypripedioideae, its common name.

This particular plant reproduces by insects falling inside these pouches and being covered in pollen!

Many of these orchids do better on ground and aren’t true air plants. However, some plants, like the American yellow in the image above, can tolerate being lightly potted and grown as aerial plants.

Guarianthe Skinneri

A well-known orchid and excellent air plant to add to your collection is the Guarianthe Skinneri!

It can be found in the US in warm regions like Florida and the Gulf Coast. Actually, the national flower of Costa Rica is this orchid.

Like the majority of other air plants, it is generally simple to grow. As a result, if you’ve never owned an air plant before, it’s a wise choice.

Spider Air Plants

One of the best air plants for air filtration and one of the easiest air plants to grow is the spider plant, or Chlorophytum comosum.

The plant is resilient and adaptable, making it a good air plant for any room in your house, including the bathroom and bedroom.

The little plants that sprout from the mother plant, known as spiderettes, are what gave the spider plant its name. These spiderettes have the potential to develop into spider plants.

However, because this plant is more terrestrial than aerial, it requires maintenance more in line with soil-grown plants than with hanging plants.

Tillandsia BrachycaulosAbdita

This adorable Tillandsia is a cross between the Tillandsia Abdita and the Tillandsia Brachycaulos. In full bloom, the Brachycaulos and Abdita both have vivid crimson tones.

So it comes as no surprise that this hybrid’s primary inflorescences are bright red and pink.

Due to their striking color change from growing to bloom, these particular species of air plants are widely sought after. They are also fairly simple to grow and maintain.

Tillandsia Xerographica Aerial Plant

The largest airborne plant is probably Tillandsia xerographica. It develops a large, spherical shape that can fill a space as a result of its long, tapering leaves waving beneath its own base.

Its distinctive attractions are the curls at the tips of its leaves and the splendor of its rosette base.

These are two fantastic justifications for include this aerial plant in your home’s interior garden!

Tillandsia Tectorum Ecuador

The T. Tectorum Ecuador is a hairy little friend for your other air plants and only needs the most basic maintenance.

This little one is from Peru and Ecuador, two very warm countries. This plant can use nutrients very effectively because of its trichomes—small hairs or outgrowths.

This makes it an excellent air plant for beginners. In fact, taking care of this little guy involves more not-to-dos than to-dos!

Tillandsia Stricta

In the world of air plants, Tillandsia Strictaflowers can be regarded as a one-hit wonder. This is because T. Stricta only has one bloom. The blossoms of other air plants make up for it by lasting longer.

Pups “grow from under the flower” after it has bloomed. When the pups are one-third the size of their mother plant, you can remove them and let them grow on their own.

Tillandsia Ionantha

One of the most well-known air plants is the T. Ionantha variety. That’s because it’s adorable, simple to grow, and incredibly simple to maintain.

The ionanthas’ green and silver-hued leaves signal the beginning of their growth cycle. The leaves grow outward with a darker green color with time.

As the blooming period progresses, the leaves begin to blend with the greens to create a red and pink gradient, as seen in our illustration.

Tillandsia Funkiana

The Tillandsia funkiana air plant resembles a cactus more than anything else. These plants initially have a harsh appearance but are actually incredibly soft.

It has light-colored greens and a stem, making it a lovely addition for any room in the house. Additionally, it clusters quite nicely, as can be seen in the picture above.

Tillandsia Bulbosa

These Tillandsia Bulbosaair plants have eerie nighttime shadows. They would be more terrifying than attractive, with their long, looping limbs resembling snakes or tentacles.

However, if you see them in the sunlight, you’ll adore their light elegance and vibrant colors.

The Bulbosa is a small thing of beauty to behold in the bright sunshine. Its flat leaves combine to create the bulb that bears its name, as well as the arms.

The Bulbosa is simple to care for, as are other Tillandsias. This tiny shrub may make even a novice gardener smitten.

Tillandsia Aeranthos

The hummingbird and the tillandsia aeranthos are best buddies in their native environment. The pollination of the Aeranthos is accomplished by the hummingbird itself.

The upward-pointing stiff green leaves of this air plant are. The blossoms are attractive in their pink colours while they are in bloom, and later in the season, they are flecked with lovely purple colors.

Advice: To care for this plant, you can either remove the developing pups and allow them to grow on their own or leave them alone to group together.

Tillandsia Caput-Medusae

With good reason, this plant is also known as the “octopus plant” or “medusa’s head.” Tillandsia Caput-Medusae resembled either with its pseudobulb and splayed tentacles.

This air plant possesses all the traits that Tillandsias are known for. It is a plant that is easy for beginners to grow, and it possesses trichomes that aid in nutritional absorption.