Air plant.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Epiphyte

Light

Bright, filtered light is best for these plants.

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

Varies by species, typically 2 to 24 inches.

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Varies by species, often late winter to summer

Care

Soak your plant in water for 20 to 30 minutes every week, then shake off excess moisture to prevent rot. Ensure the plant dries completely within a few hours to keep it healthy. Watch for curling leaves, which indicate the plant needs more hydration.

Watering

Soak the plant in room temperature water until it looks hydrated.

Feeding

Use a specialized air plant fertilizer diluted to a quarter strength once a month.

Pruning

Trim away any dead or dried leaf tips with clean scissors.

Repotting

These plants do not require soil or repotting.

Soil

None, they are epiphytic.

Temperature

10 to 30°C

Humidity

50 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years

Fragrance

Light

Deer and rabbits

High

Safety

People

They are generally considered non toxic to humans.

Pets

Tillandsias are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The small, pointed leaves can be sharp, so keep them out of reach of very young children.

Contact allergens

Some people may experience mild skin irritation from the trichomes on the leaves.

Airborne allergens

Pollen from blooming air plants can trigger mild respiratory allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

Most Tillandsia species are not considered edible and should be avoided.

How to identify it

• Leaves covered in tiny scales called trichomes
• Roots primarily used for anchoring
• Often grow in rosettes
• Produce vibrant, tubular flowers

Height

0.05 to 0.6m

Spread

0.05 to 0.6m

Leaves

silver, green, grey, evergreen

Flowers

pink, purple, red, yellow, 1 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

• Rot · Caused by water sitting in the center of the plant for too long.
• Dehydration · Leaves curl tightly and turn brown when the plant is not receiving enough moisture.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, offsets

When to plant

year round

Overwintering

Bring them indoors if temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Keep them in a bright spot away from cold drafts.

In containers

They are perfect for containers like glass globes or mounted on wood, as they require no soil.

Group them with other epiphytes to create a microclimate that maintains higher humidity.

Grows well with

• Orchids · They share similar light and humidity requirements as epiphytes.
• Ferns · They enjoy the same humid environment.

Similar species

• Spanish Moss · It is a close relative with a unique trailing growth habit.

Science

Family

Bromeliaceae

Genus

Tillandsia

Order

Poales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Southern United States through South America

Conservation

Many species are threatened in the wild due to habitat loss and over collection.

They survive by capturing moisture and nutrients from the air and rain through their specialized leaf scales.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

hummingbirds

Uses

indoor decor, terrariums, living walls

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to water my air plant?

Yes, soak them in water for 30 minutes once a week and let them dry completely.

Can I grow them in a dark room?

No, they need bright, indirect light to thrive.

Where the name comes from

The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus in honor of Elias Tillandz, who famously disliked water and traveled by land to avoid it.

Good to know

• They are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants rather than in soil.
• They do not need soil to survive.
• The genus is named after Swedish botanist Elias Tillandz.
• They are commonly called air plants.