Air plants known as Tillandsia, is the largest genus in the bromeliad family. There are more than 600 known species and countless hybrids. They’re native to Central and South America and even a small part of the Southern US. Air plants are usually divided into two categories: mesic and xeric, and much of what puts them in one category or the other are the quantity and size of their trichomes.
Trichomes are the raised hair or scale-like structures all air plants have that cover the surfaces of their leaves to be able to extract the moisture and nutrients that come their way as well as reflect sunlight in desert conditions for xeric species. The more fluffy and gray a tillandsia looks, generally the more sun and heat it can take. (This is true of other plants with gray, fuzzy leaves as well.)
Mesic tillandsia are native to moderately humid regions like Central and South American rainforests. They prefer more filtered light than xeric types. The leaves of mesic air plants are deeper green and smoother due to smaller and fewer trichomes.
Xeric air plants are from drier, more desert-like climates. Their leaves have a higher concentration of trichomes that are larger in size compared to the mesics, giving them a gray or fuzzy appearance. Often their leaves are wider to allow more surface area for absorbing water and light.
Mesic air plant – Tillandsia bulbosa. have smooth, green leaves and can be found at Flymeawaycreations Etsy Shop.
Tillandsia are epiphytes, which means they typically live on on a branch, trunk, rock, or other place that isn’t soil so they aren’t saturated in water for long. They aren’t parasitic and cause no harm if growing on another plant. Tillandsia roots are purely for attachment to tree branches or moss surface they chose to attach to. So getting their roots wet is pointless. If you purchase any air plant at Flymeawaycreations Etsy Shop, your air plant comes along with moss to help the roots attach and for the plant to thrive!
Air Plant Light
Where to put your air plants to keep them healthy? Tillandsia prefer bright, filtered light. According to Flymeawaycreations Shop which sells air plants and air plant planters, keeping them no more than 10” away from of a window indoors or a full-spectrum artificial light works well. Also sitting on a covered patio with little sunlight, the plant will thrive as well.
Air Plant Watering
When it comes to tillandsia, there are some who swear by misting, others by soaking, or a combination. I will lay it out it from the get-go; I fall into the soaking camp. I have a couple of reasons why I think this is easier and more practical.
If you choose to mist, in order to give your tillandsia enough moisture, misting needs to happen roughly every other day, depending on your tillandsia type and your conditions.
If you have just one tillandsia, that may be a realistic schedule to stick to. Just keep your mister nearby, whip it out and mist every other day or so.
However, after starting out with just one tillandsia, you may find that they mysteriously start multiplying. By this I mean you start acquiring more. And then you start to scatter them around the house because you fall in love with their quirky appearance and find they enhance your sense of green well being and your home decor.
Now that we’ve discussed all about how to care for your air plants, let’s have some fun displaying our air plants! Flymeawaycreations Shop is all about bringing the indoors inside and nature-inspired design and decor. Visit the shop today! http://www.flymeawaycreations.com
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