Most Popular Houseplants

Tillandsia — Air plant

Tillandsia — Air plant

Tillandsias are epiphytes and need no soil because water and nutrients are absorbed through the leaves. The roots are mainly used as anchors. Propagation is by seeds or by offsets called “pups”. A single plant could yield up to a dozen pups. Offsets can be separated when about 2/3 the size of their mother to encourage a new colony. Although not normally cultivated for their flowers, some Tillandsia will bloom on a regular basis. However, while some may exhibit a spectacular inflorescence, most flowers are generally small. The flowers of some species may change color through the blooming cycle. Some species or varieties produce fragrant flowers. In addition, it is quite common for some species to take on a different leaf color (usually changing from green to reddish tones), called “blushing”, when about to flower. This is an indication that the plant is monocarpic (flowers once before dying) but offsets around the flowering plant will continue to thrive. Blushing also signifies ripe time for pollination, aided by animals such as hummingbirds. Many Tillandsia species are thus naturally hybridized by visiting pollinators or the wind. Many new hybridized Tillandsia species and cultivars are products of human growers. Most Tillandsias are adaptive and hardy enough to be grown indoors with adequate lighting and care, with most types not requiring any soil or such planting medium. Many enthusiasts may attach these plants to other objects. Indoor grown Tillandsias generally need to be watered about 1-3 times a week, often by spraying the plant, and occasional feeding with watered down orchid fertilizer. Depending on the species, regular dunking in water may be essential to maintaining their health as well. Airplants are highly susceptible to mold and decay, but in nature get plenty of air movement to help them dry quickly enough to avoid this. Some Tillandsia species closely resemble one another, while some tend to change form as they mature. Therefore, a displaced pup may be very difficult to identify, and some species may even be impossible to ID by looks alone even when in bloom.