Check out the size of this Tillandsia streptophylla pup that we recently removed from its mother plant it’s huge and healthy!
After an air plant has completed its bloom cycle, it will produce offsets, or new plants “pups” if the right conditions are met. The offsets grow in a variety of ways depending on the Tillandsia species, with some air plants producing pups around the base or root system and others sprouting them from beneath one of but it really serves as protection for the young Tillandsia pup that has sprouted beneath it.
After blooming, air plants produce one to three pups on average. Some kinds can produce a large number of offspring.
When the offsets have grown to reach about 1/3 the size of the mother plant, gently remove them from the mother. The pup will then progress through its own lifecycle, becoming larger and eventually flowering and generating its own offsets if given the correct conditions and care. Gently tug on the pup’s base while supporting the mother plant to remove it. If you have to use too much force to separate an offset that is ready to be removed, we recommend leaving it in tact.
If the offsets are not separated from the mother air plant, they will continue to create a clump “clump” that has the potential to get quite large. The manner you keep them will influence the shape to some extent; for example, hanging clumping ionantha air plants will allow the pups to grow 360 degrees and finally form a spherical clump. These air plant clumps can create several blooms if the conditions are correct, as the individual pups progress through adulthood, finally flowering and producing their own pups.
Following the blooming process, air plants produce offsets, or pups. At some point throughout their lives, all Tillandsia will go through this process, however some types, such as the xerographica air plant, are significantly slower to bloom and produce pups. Tillandsia require plenty of light (the level and intensity that your air plant prefers can vary according on type), water, and air flow to grow during the blooming process and generate offsets. To speed up the blooming process and pup production, you can use a fertilizer specifically formulated for Tillandsia (such as this one), but keep in mind that fertilizer should be used in moderation and does not replace proper care or conditions.
In our articles about the air plant blooming process and what happens after the bloom, you’ll learn about what happens before an air plant produces pups.
What do you do with an air plant puppy?
When people learn that their new air plants will eventually produce small baby air plants known as “pups,” they become ecstatic. Pups are the most convenient technique for air plant enthusiasts and nurserymen to propagate their plants. Plants produced by pups will always have the same traits as the mother plant. After blooming, Tillandsia produces small seeds, however seed germination requires a lot of patience, and as pollination requires other air plants, the germinated plants may not be genuine to the species.
After an air plant’s first bloom cycle, it begins to produce pups. An air plant’s initial bloom might take anywhere from 6 months to many years, depending on the species. The majority of the plants in our store will be grown and ready to bloom within 6 months after your purchase. You’ll find little growth nodes near the bottom of the parent plant when it blooms. Continue to care for the mother plant normally for the next few months until you notice the small pups. Take care not to injure the pups, since they are very fragile when they first begin to grow.
The puppies are ready to be separated when they are a quarter to half the size of the mother plant. Garden shears or a sharp kitchen knife are recommended for a clean cut. Cut the pups away from the mother plant by gently laying it on its side. Congratulations! Now is the time to create your own air plant farm! Allow the separation point on both the mother and the freshly separated pup to “harden off” for a few days after their first separation. Allow the plants to rest and the cut to heal before reintroducing them to the terrariums or watering them. This will assist to avoid rotting by inhibiting bacterial growth at the wound.
How do you get air plants to puppies?
Isn’t it wonderful to know that your wonderful Tillandsia will one day generate their own baby air plants? The cutest part about these ‘baby’ air plants is that they’re called puppies.
Did you know that producing pups is the most popular technique for air plant enthusiasts to perpetuate their collections? That’s right, air plant enthusiasts everywhere can grow their own puppy nursery. Furthermore, the traits of the pups will always be identical to those of the mother plant.
All Tillandsia species will produce pups in a short period of time if the correct conditions are met. It’s simply a matter of understanding what to look for (nodes at the base of the mother plant) and when and how to separate the puppies from the mother plant. It’s also crucial to make sure that both the mother plant and the pups get enough sunlight and water.
Pups will begin to grow shortly after your plant’s first bloom cycle. It could take up to six months for your Tillandsia to bloom for the first time. It’s important to remember, however, that certain air plant species can take several years to blossom.
It’s only after your plants have bloomed that the magic begins to happen. At the bottom of your plant, you’ll see little nodes. This indicates that the baby plants have begun to arrive!
It’s critical that you continue to care for the mother plant as usual during this time. But always remember to be kind with the puppies. As they commence on their life’s path, they might be rather fragile.
Once the puppies have grown to about a fourth of the size of their mother plant, you’ll need to separate them.
Carefully lay the mother plant on its side and cut away the pups with a sharp kitchen knife or a good pair of garden sheers. After you’ve finished this procedure, you’ll be ready to start your own air plant farm!
Allow a couple of days for the cut-off point on both the mother plant and the youngster to harden off.
Your plants will begin to recover from their separation at this time. They may have developed a unique (lopsided) shape while growing up with their mother. In the coming months, your puppy’s shape and size will become more consistent. Plant food should not be used on puppies until they have been separated for at least three months, as they are extremely sensitive at this time. Maintain your normal watering schedule throughout this time.
One of the best things about air plants is how long they last and how easy they are to grow. They don’t require soil; all they require is some sunshine and water every now and then. It’s also simple to care for your air plant pups, as you’ve seen. With a little TLC, you’ll have a litter of puppies in no time!
Take a peek at our collection of air plants to discover how lovely they (and their offspring) can be…
What is the lifespan of an air plant?
Air plants, often known as tillandsias, are perennial plants. This indicates they survive for an average of more than two years (source), with a lifespan ranging from two to five years. However, the length of time they live depends on the type of air plant as well as the growing conditions.
How do air plants multiply?
Tillandsia air plants reproduce in the same way that other flowering plants do. Flowers are produced, which lead to pollination and seed production. Offsets new, smaller plants known as pups are also produced by air plants.
Even if the plant hasn’t been pollinated, puppies will form. There will be no seeds if pollination does not occur. Birds, bats, insects, and the wind pollinate air plants in the wild. Some species can pollinate themselves, while others require pollination from other plants.
How fast does Tillandsia Xerographica grow?
Keep in mind that the seedling may take up to eight years to mature into a full-grown plant.
About six months to two years after its first bloom, the king of air plants produces a pup.
After separating the plants, give the pup the same attention as the mother plant.
How do I get my air plant to bloom?
The wait is finally over! Your air plant has finally bloomed after a lot of love and care! You might wonder how it got to this point, and how I can properly care for my flowering air plant. Maybe you’re still waiting for your Tillandsia to flower and aren’t sure what you can do to speed up the process. This post is for you in either situation.
Let’s start with some basic information on the flowering cycle of air plants. The bloom, as with any flowering plant, signifies the beginning of the reproductive phase in the life cycle of an air plant. Air plants only bloom once in their lifetime, which may surprise you. Tillandsias produce a variety of flowers depending on the species, with many of them producing stunningly colorful blossoms in a range of hues from delicate pinks to blazing reds, as well as vibrant purples and yellows.
Within the Tillandsia realm, there are many different types of blooms. When some plants, such as the capitata peach, begin to blossom, they turn a delicate pink color and blooms emerge from the middle of the plant. Small buds grow from the heart of the plant in other plants like the aeranthros and stricta. The bud eventually expands and opens to show flowers. Some blooms may survive a few days, while others can last weeks.
Some air plants, such as the caput-medusae and the xerographica, have substantially longer bloom cycles than others. These plants produce huge flower tracts known as inflorescence, which can reach a height of over a foot in certain kinds! The blooms on the tract open out and fall out of the inflorescence over time. A bloom tract on some Tillandsias can last up to a year.
You could see some new growth on the side of your air plant after the bloom cycle is finished. These are tiny air plants, often known as offsets or offshoots “Puppies.” These little babies will grow up and become their own people “the “adult” air plant, and the cycle will start all over again! You can snip off the bloom tract that came out of the plant to boost the next stage of growth after the bloom, which will kick start the pup stage! Depending on the air plant species, the air plant will produce one to three pups after blooming. You can either remove the puppies or let them to form a clump once they reach around 1/3 the size of the mother plant.
Most healthy Tillandsias will blossom at some point, but they will need special care and a lot of light to do so. You can boost flowers and pup production by using a diluted fertilizer like our specially designed Air Plant Food once a month or so to help speed up the blooming process.
So, how should a Tillandsia in bloom be cared for? Keep watering and feeding your plant, first and foremost! When watering blooming air plants, however, you’ll want to avoid getting the flower wet, so instead of dunking or soaking the entire plant, we recommend dunking, misting, or holding only the parts of the air plant that allow you to avoid wetting the bloom beneath softly running water. If the bloom is buried in water for an extended period of time, it may rot or wilt. Because all of the plant’s energy is directed into the bloom and, eventually, the puppies, a blooming plant may require a bit more water than usual. Keep an eye on your plant to ensure that it remains happy and healthy!
You might be able to enjoy your own blooms with just a little light, water, and fertilizer! Good luck with your blossoming!
Are you curious as to what will happen next? After the Bloom is the second installment in the blooming series, as well as our essay on Air Plant Propagation.
Can you put succulents and air plants together?
Do you need some decoration ideas for your home? You can make a mixed terrarium with succulents and air plants of various textures if you want more variation. Simply avoid planting your air plant in soil or allowing it to sit in wet, as this might lead to decay. Some folks prefer a more fanciful terrarium, which includes miniature people, cars, or dinosaurs in addition to their plants. Make a beach terrarium with sand, moss, shells from your family’s vacation, and possibly a seashell.
How fast do air plants multiply?
When it comes to air plants, how quickly do they grow? Air plants take a long time to mature. Growing air plants from seeds can take two to three years to generate a small plant, and they can take up to five years to mature.
How big do air plants get?
Some produce flowers in hues of red, pink, or purple that last from a few days to a few months, while the foliage can be silver or green, spiky or fuzzy. The majority of air plants are small, measuring between 2″ to 12″ in height.