Tillandsia
Tillandsia, or air plants, are a favorite for people looking for low-maintenance plants. They don’t even need soil. You can place them around your house where they get indirect light (even from fluorescent bulbs) and simply spritz them with water each week.
What’s most important to air plant health? Air. Once the plants are spritzed each week, make sure they have a chance to dry, particularly at the base of the plant. Glass terrariums with air plants are pretty, but the plants will need air circulation to remain healthy. If you see that your terrarium plant is looking tired, pull it out of the glass globe for a few days for it to breathe.
Most Popular Types
Ionantha from Guatemala, Honduras, or Mexican are most common. Our favorite is the xerographica, a large wide-leafed ball of curiosity.
Light
The natural habitat of tillandsias is the humid rainforests of Central and South America. As epiphytes, they hang from tree branches, taking nutrients from decaying materials, but they don’t harm the host tree. To mimic this habitat, you can hang them in your shady trees outside until temps drop to about 50 degrees. Then bring them in to take a spot on your windowsill or table.
Temperatures
Air plants do well inside the house or hanging in trees outside. Once temps drop to 50 degrees, be sure to bring them in and place on a sunny windowsill.
Watering
Spritz once a week, but take care to let the plant dry before placing it in a container.
Toxicity
Non-toxic to animals or humans.
Growth
Air plants are monocarpic, meaning they bloom only once. Typically, their blooms are stunning, lasting more than a month. The mother plant will then grow offsets, or pups. Once the pups can take care of themselves, the mother plant will slowly die off.
Origin
The natural habitat of tillandsias is the humid rainforests of Central and South America.
Propagation
Watch for pups growing on the side of the main air plant. When they get to at least 1/4 the size of the main plant, you can pop them off.
Dormancy
Air plants are winter dormant.
tillandsia mix
Growing Hobby keeps a wide variety of air plants, or Tillandsia.
tillandsia ionantha guatemala
This Tillandsia ionantha is from Guatemala
Tillandsia xerographica
Tillandsia xerographica is a large scale air plant, reaching 15 inches in length when wet.
tillandsia bulbosa belize
This variety from Belize is the largest bulbosa variety of Tillandsia we’ve found.
tillandsia streptophylla
The Tillandsia streptophylla curls itself into an egg shape when it’s in low humidity.
tillandsia ionantha scaposa
The Tillandsia ionantha scaposa is a small compact air plant
tillandsia harrissii
This Tillandsia harrissii is a great filler for arrangements.
tillandsia funkiana
Tillandsia funkiana – We just love the name of this one!
tillandsia bulbosa guatemala
This bulbosa variety of air plant is native to Guatemala
tillandsia xerographica
Tillandsia xerographica is always a show-stopper. It looks great hanging from twine.
tillandsia baileyi
The baileyi variety of Tillandsia has a remarkable striped pattern.
Workshops at Growing Hobby
Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.