Tillandsia – Air Plant

Say hello to the Tillandsia

Natives of the tropical forests of South Americas, air plants are found growing as epiphytes in countries across Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Honduras, Columbia and Paraguay, among many others. Air plants by their unique adaptation live with no need for soil or even ways of sucking out water using its root systems, as it has none of the traditional apparatus that plants use.. In their natural habitat, Tillandsia can be seen clinging on to trees, bushes, rocks and even electrical wires running through its habitat.

Adopting and caring for a Tillandsia Lonantha

Adopting: If you are ready for a truly unique plant species an air plant is something easy to adopt and have around. They are extremely eaasy to care. Ensure that you don’t plant them in soil like you would plant any other plant.

Locating: Tillandsia Lonantha needs bright light. So set the plant up in a sunny spot in your home or office. While they love the sun, they can also be grown under artificial fluorescent lights like the ones in the office.

Potting: A Tillandsia has modified trichomes on its leaves to absorb nutrients and water particles from the air so, true to its name air plants they do not need potting of any kind

Watering: Expert Tillandsia growers are known to water their plants by spraying them or dunking them in water. It’s best not to overdo the watering in any case

Fertilising: Air plants need little or no fertiliser of any kind.

Did you know: 

Tillandsia (air plants) are members of the Bromeliad family which makes them close cousins of pineapples