“Would that you could live on the fragrance of the earth. And like the air plant be sustained by the light.”

–Kahlil Gibran

Tillandsias are members of the Bromeliaceae family and are considered epiphytes, meaning they attach to other plants or structures for support and take in moisture and nutrients through trichomes on their leaves rather than roots. In addition to hydration and nutrition, these trichomes, or hairs, assist in protecting the plant and regulating temperature. If you happen to see air plants growing naturally in your landscape, e.g., Tillandsia recurvata, or ball moss, attached to a tree trunk or underside of branches, there is never a need for concern.

The reason? Because air plants are not parasites and do no damage to their host.

There are hundreds of Tillandsia species, with some originating in hot, dry climates (Xeric) and others in moist environments (Mesic). Xeric species are easily recognized by their conspicuous trichomes, oftentimes gray or silver coloring and, for a number of them, curly leaves and a bulbous base. These air plants thrive well with occasional watering and bright light. A particular favorite of mine is the fuzzy, delicate-looking Tillandsia tectorum, which tends to thrive with less attention. Unlike many other species which appreciate a good soaking, spritzing the top and underside of its leaves every one to three weeks and shaking out excess moisture will normally satisfy Tillandsia t.’s hydration needs.

Mesic species are, oftentimes, recognizable by a sleek appearance, green leaves and barely noticeable trichomes. These enjoy a moderate amount of humidity, indirect light and more frequent watering than their Xeric counterparts.

Tillandsia bulbosa is one such air plant. Small in size, the plant should be positioned in indirect light in the home and receive a misting one or two times a week. Placing the plant upside down will allow it to dry without the possibility of water settling in leaf crevices. A bit of fertilizer every few months will satisfy its nutrition needs.

As with other Tillandsias, if you decide to place the plant in some type of medium, make certain that it is not soil nor any type of substance, such as sphagnum moss, that tends to absorb and retain a lot of water. Otherwise, root rot is certain to follow.

Because they need no soil, Tillandsias can be displayed in ways that would not be possible otherwise. The sky seems to be the limit as far as choices go, as the display ideas found on Pinterest demonstrate.

Displaying air plants in large shells and attached to driftwood are two of my personal favorites. For example, on one of my smaller pieces of driftwood I combined Tillandsia harrisii and a small orchid, draping the piece with another air plant, live Spanish moss, also known as Tillandsia usneoides.

The grouping has done well placed in an outdoor area receiving some morning sun. During dry times, a thorough misting once or twice a week, followed by turning upside down to drain excess water, has proven beneficial. When watering I make certain to include the orchid roots, which over time have draped themselves around the driftwood. A periodic misting of orchid fertilizer throughout the year provides a finishing touch.

With a bit of attention air plants can provide long-lasting interest in the home or garden. And with the production of “pups” along the base of the mother plant either before, at the time of or in the aftermath of blooming depending on the species, future generations can be enjoyed.

Until next time…

Janetta Fox is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.

Sengo, Z. (2014). Air plants. The curious world of tillandsias. Timber Press.