Air Plants (Tillandsia)
Transform your home or garden with the striking beauty of Air Plants (Tillandsia) from Calloway’s Nursery! These unique, soil-free wonders are the ultimate low-maintenance houseplants, perfect for both seasoned gardeners and beginners alike. With their ability to thrive virtually anywhere, Air Plants bring a touch of nature’s artistry to your pottery, terrariums, driftwood, wreaths, or any creative display you can imagine.
Ranging from petite rosettes to moss-like forms, Air Plants offer endless versatility. Their slow-growing nature means minimal upkeep—just mist or dunk them 2-3 times a week (more in dry climates) and place them in indirect or filtered light for optimal growth. Whether you’re dressing up a container garden or crafting a stunning centerpiece, these resilient plants add a bold, stylish flair with ease.
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Items For Added Success
Species: spp.
Plant Height: 3-30 in.
Spread: 4-30 in.
Evergreen: Yes
Plant Form: Clumping
Summer Foliage Color: Varies
Minimum Sunlight: Indirect
Maximum Sunlight: Indirect
Air Plants are best featured as a striking houseplant. Most species grow as small rosettes or form moss-like plants. It can be grown virtually anywhere, requiring very little water and care. This makes it an easy plant to dress up any pottery, wreath, wood, or sculpture.
Air Plants landscaping attributes are very creative from traditional houseplants. The easy-going nature of Air Plants makes it simple for gardeners to use in traditional pottery, container gardens, or terrariums. Air Plants can also be used on drift wood, hanging planters, wooden planks, wreaths, or virtually anywhere you can think of.
Air Plants are slow-growing plants that require very little maintenance to care for since they can grow virtually anywhere. These make for great plants in terrariums. Mist or dunk 2-3 times a week, more in dry environments. Air Plants requires indirect light, or filtered light, for best growing conditions.
How to Care for Air Plants (Tillandsia)
Air Plants thrive in bright, indirect light. They love filtered sunlight from an east- or south-facing window but should be protected from harsh, direct rays that can scorch their leaves. If natural light is limited, they also do well under fluorescent or LED grow lights for at least 8–12 hours daily.
Air Plants (Tillandsias) grow naturally in warm, humid environments. They do best in temperatures between 60°F and 85°F with good air circulation. Avoid placing them near heating or cooling vents, which can cause the plants to dry out too quickly.
Water Air Plants about 2–3 times per week by soaking them in room-temperature water for 20–30 minutes. After soaking, shake off excess water and let them dry upside down to prevent rot. In dry climates, mist them lightly between soakings. Reduce watering in cool, humid conditions.
Feed Air Plants monthly with a bromeliad or air plant fertilizer diluted to half strength. You can add it to the soaking water or misting spray. Regular feeding encourages strong growth and more frequent blooms. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can damage their delicate leaves.
Trim away any brown or dried leaf tips with clean scissors. After blooming, remove the dead flower spike to keep the plant tidy. Air Plants also produce pups—small offsets at the base—that can be separated once they’re about one-third the size of the parent plant.
Air Plants are generally pest-free, but mealybugs and scale can occasionally appear. Poor air circulation or overwatering may cause rot. Ensure they dry completely after watering and provide adequate airflow to prevent fungal issues.
No—Air Plants are not frost-tolerant. They should be kept indoors or brought inside when temperatures drop below 50°F. Exposure to frost can damage their leaves and prevent new growth.