An air plant, which is properly known as Tillandsia, is an evergreen, flowering plant that has been getting much attention lately.
This notice is likely due to the fact that air plants are low maintenance plants that are fun to grow and equally fun to display and decorate with.
With no dirt necessary!
But did you know that his under-appreciated survival superstar is commonly seen as weeds in their hometowns?
In fact, they were even used as natural packing material in Japan!
But underdog no more, air plants are steadily gaining an enthusiastic following who appreciate the minimalistic and subtle qualities of this understated plant.
Air plants can be grown indoors and can easily be relocated around the house on whim – functioning almost like an ornament.
However, it’s important to understand that “low” maintenance does not mean “no” maintenance.
To keep air plants happy and healthy, it’s important to ensure proper watering, ventilation, and sunlight
Scientific Stuff About Air Plants
Air plants are part of the genus Tillandsia and native mostly to Central and South America. They are actually in the Bromeliad family and consist of nearly 600 strains.
Now that’s a lot of variety!
Air plants are mainly either epiphytes or aerophytes – with the larger majority being epiphytes.
Epiphytes are organisms that grows on the surface of plants and can derive nutrients and moisture from the air and water surrounding them.
The word epiphyte comes from the Greek translation “upon plant”.
Although air plants cling on plants and use them as “hosts” – they do not typically cause damage to the host plants.
Aerophytic air plants have a minimally developed root system and typically grows in shifting desert soil.
The main reason air plants can be “air plants” – or “without soil” – is due to their ability to uptake moisture and nutrients via their leaf surfaces.
Organs on the surface of their leaves called trichomes facilitate this process.
Natural Environment of Air Plants
Different varieties of air plants are adapted to live in diverse environments – from high atop the Andes mountain range, to the moist depths of Louisiana swamps.
Another species of Tislandia are lithophytic meaning they live on rocks – or anything similar like roofs and telephone poles.
The air plants we see today at our local Home Depot or Lowes typically have either “stiff” silver or “soft” green leaves.
The silvery air plants prefer full sun and high humidity, while the green leaf varieties prefer moderate sun.
The air plants impressive ability to adapt to harsh and dry environments should not go unnoticed.
They don’t have as much flair and color as other plant species but they do have an “inner strength and intelligence” that makes them just as or even more attractive.
Moreso, their need for minimal maintenance can make even the blackest of thumbs proud plant owners.
Where To Find Air Plants
Up until fairly recently, the rarity of air plants made it a hard plant to find outside of speciality garden shops.
However as more people discover the versatility and attractiveness of Tillansdia – you can know find them easily online or even at your local Home Depot or Lowes.
Because air plants are so hardy and lightweight, they can easily be ordered online with minimum hassle and low shipping costs.
Just remember to research each type of air plant to see which variety will thrive in the intended environment you plan to keep them.
The rarity and novelness of air plants also attribute to their cost.
For such tiny little things – they aren’t exactly cheap.
But by starting early with an initial investment of high quality air plant specimens – you can hopefully cultivate much more for future enjoyment for you as well as others.
Air Plant Cultivation – Where To Keep Air Plants
Because air plants don’t need soil, they are well-suited to be indoor house plants.
However if given the choice, air plants would prefer to live outdoors with sunny conditions and good air flow.
And just because they are “air” plants, you mustn’t forget that they do adore water.
It’s important to understand what varieties of air plants you have as different varieties require different watering techniques.
In general, smaller air plant varieties do well with mistings, while larger varieties benefit from occasional soaking.