Air plants are one of nature’s many wonders and by far one of the most unusual plant species. We will discuss what they are, how to best care for them, how to display them, and our top three favorites in this journal.
A Brief Overview
Tillandsia, the Latin word for air plants, are indigenous to South and Central America’s mountains, deserts, and woods, and certain varieties can even be found in the southern United States. Air plants grow on and around trees because they are epiphytic, but they are not parasitic. Instead, they absorb nutrients from the air and sporadic rainfall through their leaves. Their leaves have layers of trichomes, which are small, hair-like structures that are silver in color and help the plants easily absorb water. Unexpectedly, the tiny roots that air plants have serve to hold the plant to a surface rather than to absorb nutrition. It’s normal practice to trim the roots off of plants before bringing them indoors for a cleaner appearance.
Life Cycle
Air plants have a predictable life cycle, in contrast to many other tropical indoor plants. Years after reaching maturity, the air plant will blossom, with the majority of the blooms featuring extremely strong violets, pinks, reds, and oranges. After they have blossomed, the mother air plant will gradually start to generate offshoots known as “pups.” You can carefully remove these pups, which will grow into new, healthy air plants once they are roughly one-third the size of the mother plant. Following this stage, the mother plant will gradually start to die, leaving behind a sizable number of baby air plants, and the cycle will then begin again.
Care
You can be sure that air plants don’t require (or even particularly appreciate) that kind of harsh, direct sunlight, despite the fact that some of them may resemble succulents, cacti, and other light-loving plants in appearance. Since air plants typically grow around the shady canopies of trees in their natural habitat, they enjoy bright indirect light when housed indoors [find out more about lighting here].
Contrary to popular belief, air plants do need water to survive and can’t thrive on air alone.
Once a week, immerse your air plant in water for about an hour. After giving the air plant its weekly wash, gently shake it out to get rid of any extra water that may have gotten between its leaves. Before returning your air plant to its normal position, turn it upside down for a couple of hours to let any remaining water drain from the plant. By doing this, your air plant’s risk of developing rot is significantly reduced. Your air plant will have a longer, happier life if you follow these maintenance advice.
Ways to Display
Because air plants don’t require soil (i.e., a container) to survive, one of its most intriguing characteristics is that they may be placed almost anyplace. They can be displayed in a transparent glass container with pea gravel to support them or left alone on a desk or countertop to give off a more natural appearance. There are countless options.
Our Favorites
This tiny T. tectorum specimen resembles a fuzzy snowball. Because of the abundance of its silvery trichomes, it can tolerate extreme heat and drought.
T. xerogrpahica: These air plants, sometimes known as the queen of the air plants, can grow to be quite large. They form a rosette and have long, silvery-green leaves that spiral around one another.
T. streptophylla: This air plant, which is bulbous and has ringlet-like leaves, curls more tightly the longer it goes without water.
I hope this post has helped you learn a little bit more about air plants. They are wonderful plants that everyone ought to use. Please feel free to ask any more questions regarding them in the section below.
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.
What kind of air plant is the simplest to grow?
- 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).
How long does an air plant live?
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).
How should a skeleton air plant from Trader Joe’s be cared for?
Even though it’s still September, fall has arrived at Trader Joe’s. Grab all the zen yogi skeleton air plants you can find when you could be stocking up on other seasonal goodies.
The Tillandsia Yogi Skeletons are available in three distinct stances and retail for $5.99 apiece. They initially appeared at Trader Joe’s last year. TJ’s is essentially telling you to start decorating for Halloween because customers started talking about these adorable yogis on Instagram in late August. (Are Halloween decorations too early? NEVER.)
For those who may not have a green thumb or who are just seeking for a seasonal decoration, air plants are the perfect choice because they are typically simple and low-maintenance plants. For a maximum life span, air plants should be kept in bright, indirect sunshine and be given a good soak in water every two weeks. Due to their modest size and mostly dirt-free nature, these plants are also suitable for compact spaces.
Last year, these skeletons flew off the shelves, so if you want to pick some up, you’d better get moving. Don’t worry if they are already sold out; Bed Bath & Beyond and Michael’s both have some plant-free substitutes that are equally creepy and reasonably priced.
Just think of how adorable each of these would look on a windowsill in an apartment or in a stylish yoga studio. It basically serves as the décor for our nightmares packed with ghosts.
How should a Trader Joe’s skeleton plant be cared for?
A tiny green plant that is very simple to maintain is perched on the yogi’s head. According to Friend-Daniel, the plant is known as Tillandsia ionantha and just needs a little maintenance, making it the ideal ornament for people of all ages.
Simply spritz the plant once a week, or immerse it in water for an hour every two weeks. Additionally, Trader Joe’s advises keeping your yogi away from air conditioners and heater vents and placing it in an area that will receive at least eight hours of artificial light per day or in medium to brilliant indirect sunshine.
What should I use to house air plants?
People who enjoy plants, especially those who wish to have greenery in their homes but don’t have a lot of time to care for it, are quite fond of air plants. They come in a variety of forms, hues, and textures and require very little upkeep.
Moisture and the surrounding air provide nutrients for air plants. So it’s simple to locate a space for them. Put them in common pots, terrariums, frames, baskets, bowls, seashells, urchins, and seaweed. Using wires, fishing lines, or adhesive, you may also hang or fasten them to wreaths, cork bark, and other materials.
If you decide to put your air plants somewhere specific, continue reading to learn how to care for them and how to water them.
How often should my air plant be soaked?
It is preferable to soak your air plants in a bowl of water for 20 to an hour once per week to 10 days. Totally submerge the plant. Even though they are constantly wet in nature, if your plant is in bloom, you might want to keep the bud above the water to avoid disturbing it.
How frequently do I need to water my air plant?
For the best care, your plants should be watered 2-3 times each week in addition to once every week. Every 2-3 weeks, a 2-hour bath should be taken. You will need to water or mist your plants more frequently if you live in a hotter, drier region. Your plant’s leaves will start to feel heavier and more wet after watering, and they will be softer and lighter in color when they require more water. Dehydration may be indicated by leaves that are wrinkled or rolled.
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.