They often have strap-like leaves that develop in a rosette pattern, with new growth emerging from the plant’s core. 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.
What are the plants that grow in air?
Air plants have grown in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to understand why: they’re adaptable, don’t require soil, and are simple to care for! We’re going to talk about some of the most popular air plant species today. These top ten air plants are among the most popular, and they appear to be the top picks of both seasoned collectors and newbies to the world of air plants. We’ve provided a link to the related Tillandsia Spotlight Blog Posts so you can learn more about each species!
Xerographica is the first word that comes to mind when you think of a
This big, slow-growing plant grows naturally in Guatemala, Mexico, and El Salvador, and is a crowd favorite. The full and dramatic spherical shape of this grand and enormous plant distinguishes it from most air plants, and it can withstand more light and less water than most. In this Tillandsia focus, learn more about the xerographica air plant: The Xerographica Air Plant is the world’s largest air plant.
Ionantha, number two
T. ionantha is a hardy cultivar prized for its unusual spiky shape and size fluctuation, making it one of the most popular air plants for terrarium design. T. ionantha has several different variations, including T. ionantha guatemala, T. ionantha rubra, T. ionantha mexico, T. ionantha vanhynigii, T. ionantha fuego, and many more! In our blog pieces Tillandsia Spotlight: Ionantha Air Plant Variety and Common Tillandsia Ionantha Forms, you can learn more about this beginner-friendly air plant.
Stricta 3.
Tillandsia stricta is a cultivar that grows naturally in a wide range of climates and conditions, making it a very easy plant to care for and ideal for beginners. These plants are distinguished by their bright green leaves and gorgeous pink blossoms. In our Tillandsia Spotlight: The Stricta Air Plant, you may learn more about the T. stricta variety.
Brachycaulos is a type of brachycaulos.
Tillandsia brachycaulos is one of the most common air plants, and it hybridizes easily with other species. It thrives in a variety of temperatures and is extremely adaptable to a variety of circumstances, making it an ideal starter air plant. In our Tillandsia Spotlight: Brachycaulos Air Plant blog post, we take a closer look at the T. brachycaulos air plant and discuss its hybrids.
Aeranthos is number five.
Tillandsia aeranthos is another beginner-friendly air plant. Southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina are all home to this beautiful air plant. It has beautiful pink blossoms and produces a lot of pups. In our Tillandsia Spotlight: Aeranthos Air Plant blog post, you can learn more about T. aeranthos.
Capitata, no. 6
T. capitata, a soft-leaved type prized by collectors, can grow to be fairly large over time. This is another plant that comes in a variety of lovely varieties and may be seen growing in the wild in both trees and on rocks. In our Tillandsia Spotlight Capitata Air Plant blog post, you can learn more about the Tillandsia capitata.
Bulbosa (Guatemala + Belize) is number seven.
The T. bulbosa type of air plants is distinctive, with tentacle-like leaves and bulbous bases that make a statement wherever they are presented. The T. bulbosa guatemala is the smallest of the bulbosa kinds, making it ideal for terrariums. T. bulbosa belize is a bigger cultivar with darker green foliage. In our blog post Tillandsia Spotlight: Bulbosa Air Plants, you can learn more about where these fascinating plants are native to as well as care instructions.
8. Medusa’s Head
This fuzzy sea creature-like air plant is native to Central America and Mexico and has an abundance of trichomes. Because of their trichomes, they can withstand more sunlight and less water than most air plants. Medusa, from Greek mythology, is the name given to these fascinating air plants. In our Tillandsia Spotlight Caput Medusae Air Plant blog post, we go through the T. caput medusae in detail.
Streptophylla Hybrid No. 9
The Tillandsia streptophylla hybrid is a sought-after air plant that is a cross of T. streptophylla and T. brachycaulos. It has wide curling leaves and will grow to be much larger than either of its parent plants. Both parent plants are low-maintenance, making this plant perfect for both beginners and collectors. In our Tillandsia Spotlight: Streptophylla hybrid blog, you may learn more about this intriguing hybrid.
Ecuadorian Tectorum
Tillandsia tectorum Ecuador, a fuzzy snowball-shaped air plant, is one of our favorites. The high highlands of Ecuador’s Andes and the coastal deserts of Peru are home to these unique tiny plants. In these dry regions, they receive all of the moisture they require by absorbing moisture from the air through their fuzzy trichomes. In our blog post Tillandsia Spotlight: Tectorum Air Plants, you may learn more about these little fuzzy air plants.
Is your favorite not on this list?
Share your favorite air plants with us in the comments!
What are baby air plants called?
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 period. 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 again. It’s also simple to care for your air plant puppies, 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 rarest air plant?
Recurvifolia. This is the rarest Tillandsia Funckiana variety, and it’s easy to see why! It has very distinctive leaves that resemble pine branches.
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.
Air plants prefer indirect light that is bright. That is, unless the windowsill receives filtered light or merely soft morning sun, don’t plan to keep them there. Air plants have a tendency to grow a little wilted “In direct sunshine, especially when amplified through a glass window or terrarium, things get “cooked.” In low light, on the other hand, they will be unhappy. Our air plants are kept in the brightest rooms of our home.
Yes, grow lights can be used to give additional light for air plants or even serve as their sole source of light! But take attention of what I said “Growing Lights” This necessitates the use of full-spectrum fluorescent or LED lights that are specifically designed for plant growth. Incandescent bulbs do not produce the quality of light required by air plants to photosynthesize.
Maintain a distance of 3 feet or less between the air plants and the light source. If artificial light is their primary source of illumination, keep it on for at least 12 hours every day to ensure adequate illumination. In that situation, a light timer might come in handy.
How long do air plants last?
Blooms of air plants have a variety of lifespans, ranging from a few days to 2-4 weeks. However, the flowers of certain larger air plants, such as t.xerographica, can endure for up to a year.
If you want your air plant’s bloom to remain longer, avoid soaking it or watering it at all. The bloom of an air plant cannot absorb water, therefore watering it will cause it to wilt quickly.
Tillandsias only flower once in their lives, after which they produce pups and die. Blooming usually occurs within 1-2 years of receiving it, but this can vary.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Please see this resource page if you want to learn more about air plant care.
Where do you put air plants?
All air plants are native to tropical areas where freezing and frost are unheard of. Is it necessary to keep them at temperatures that you are comfortable in without wearing a sweater? Temperatures are usually in the 60s and higher. Place them away from air conditioner vents and drafty winter windows.
Air plants need at least a few hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day to thrive. It’s best to put it within 1 to 3 feet of an east- or west-facing window, or within a foot or two of a light source. They may have hotter, more direct sun and longer exposure if you keep them well watered. Avoid places that are dimly lighted.
Do air plants only bloom once?
The best technique to water your air plant in the morning is to immerse it in a water bath. The stomata of air plants open at night, allowing gas and oxygen exchange/vaporization. Watering first thing in the morning will help to avoid interrupting this crucial process. Although you can mist your Tillandsia, this will not provide enough moisture over time, and the plant’s vascular cells may begin to degenerate.
Your air plant should be soaked once a week or once every two weeks, depending on the kind and thickness of the leaves. To do so, make sure you’re not using distilled water or water with a high salt concentration. Both of these are deficient in crucial minerals and nutrients, and can kill your plant after only a few waterings. Rain or pond water are ideal, but they are also tough to come by for most of us. Filtered tap water or tap water that has been held at room temperature for at least 12 hours would sufficient. Submerge the entire plant in the water; turning it upside down frequently keeps it from floating. Allow the air plant to soak in its bath for around 40 minutes to an hour. Most crucial, allow your plants to soak for at least 3 hours on a towel outside of their containers. This is the most common blunder people make. Remember that air plants are adapted to relatively arid settings in nature, where they can dry out. If you immediately return the plant to its vessel/container, moisture will be trapped in the meristem (base region) of the plant, resulting in rot.
If you have a flowering air plant, the bloom will usually endure for two to three weeks! Unfortunately, having the flower wet can reduce the length of the bloom, so only submerge the flowering Air plant halfway during this time.
If you’re going on a trip for two weeks or more, soak for 12 hours the night before you leave, then air out for another 12 hours. When you get home, soak for another 12 hours and air out. You can also conduct a few “extras” to encourage faster growth and more blooms.
FERTILIZING
Fertilizing your Tillandsia is a good way to encourage rapid growth and blooms, but don’t overdo it. If you have access to rain or pond water, you can skip this step. We recommend fertilizing every two months at the most. You can use a normal bromeliad fertilizer in your water bath. If no water soluble fertilizer is available, use 1/4 of the recommended amount of any water soluble fertilizer as long as it does not contain urea-based nitrogen, which is preferable for only soil-grown plants.
NEW GROWTH “PUPS
Every air plant will only blossom once in its lifetime, which is unfortunate but true. After the flower has dried, you should cut off the entire flower stalk to promote new growth “Puppet.” Tillandsia “Pups” are just new plants that sprout from the plant’s base. They usually start growing two months after the mother plant or the main base of the plant stops blooming. You can twist and remove fresh pups away from the mother plant, or you can leave them on until they clump together and the mother plant dies and is replaced by the puppies. Before you remove the pups, make sure they are 1/3 to half the size of the mother plant.
Why do air plants turn red?
When exposed to bright light, certain air plant kinds, such as Tillandsia brachycaulos and Tillandsia bradeana, have been found to become a shade of red. This feature appeals to plant collectors who seek them out primarily for the purpose of adding this lovely tone to their collection.
If the tops of your air plant’s leaves start to turn brown instead of red, you know it’s getting too much direct light (and so drying up).
If you plan to keep your air plant indoors, mist it at least twice a week if it will be exposed to a lot of light in a non-humid environment.
If you’re not sure what circumstances your indoor plant requires to thrive, providing indirect light is always a safer bet.
If you’re wondering if you can use artificial light to assist your air plant turn red, the answer is yes, but there are a few guidelines to follow to ensure your plant can continue photosynthesizing and growing as it would in natural sunlight.
- Full spectrum illumination is recommended since regular lightbulbs do not give the wavelengths required for your plants to fully photosynthesize and flourish.
- Keep your plant at least three feet away from the artificial light: If you keep your air plant too far away from a poor light source, even if it’s a full spectrum light, it won’t be able to absorb enough light to stay healthy.
- Consider supplying supplemental light for a minimum of 12 hours per day in areas completely devoid of natural light: Most grow lights have an automated timer built in, so you’re essentially simulating natural sunshine.