How to Have a Healthy Air Plant

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By wytetyger059
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Air Plant

Air Plants are Epiphytes. Epiphytic plants include most orchids, many bromeliads, all staghorn ferns and other amazing plants. The fascinating thing is that they don't require soil to grow. In fact, if you plant an air plant in soil, it will die.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

air plant
a seashell, driftwood, stones, a piece of rock something waterproof for the airplant to live on
twist ties to attach the plant, or glue (not super glue)

Step 1

This air plant came glued into the halloween black cat tea light holder next to it. It is now almost 3 years old.
Step 2

Tillandsia Sampler

Air plants are epiphytic plants. Epiphytes require no soil to grow. Air plants (Tillandsia) get nutrition from just air, rain water nutrients and decomposing matter (mostly leaves and dead insects) that may be caught among their roots or in their leaves.
Step 3

So you have an air plant. If it came like mine did, it is glued in its container. Usually the glue isn't water proof, and eventually the plant will come loose from it. Water the plant with a mister every few days, or hold it under running water. Rainwater is best. Filtered water would probably be better than straight tap water. I used the kitchen faucet. Let the plant dry completely between waterings. Too much water will kill it. As to food, commercial brands of fertilizer can be safely used at half to quarter strength.
Step 4

Staghorn Fern

If the plant has come loose, then you can put it in a more decorative (or perhaps less seasonal) holder. Mine is now on a piece of bark from a black locust in my yard.
Step 5

When using bark straight from a tree, I recommend soaking the bark in hot water, perhaps with a bit of bleach, to kill anything living in it. I did this, then dried the bark in my microwave for 3 minutes. Let the bark cool before attaching the plant.
Step 6

twist tie holding air plant

After the bark is dried and cool, use glue or a twist tie to affix the plant to the bark. You can get twist ties for plants at a florist or craft shop. I used both. Do not use super glue. It contains chemicals that are toxic to the plant.
Step 7

Partial shade, bright or subdued indirect sunlight, wind protection, humidity, warmth and rain water will keep your air plant happy. Mine is in a north east window, but it is out of the direct sunlight.
Step 8

Hydnophytum_formicarum

There are lots of varieties of air plants, and not all air plants are small. This is Hydnophytum_formicarum, also known as the ant plant. It has a large tuberous base 4" to 5" in diameter, and the branches will grow up to 2ft. The plant needs high humidity
Step 9

Flamingo Votives

Along with there being lots of varieties of air plant, there are also many ways to display them. Deltona Seashells and Gifts has pics of several varieties and cute ways to display them. This pic is one of theirs.
Step 10

That's it, really. Doesn't it look nice? And the twist tie doesn't even show in front.

Comments

Ziaros said

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on 12/26/2008 i once killed a baboo plant so its nice to know i can actually have a real plant that can survive me. i would love to have real ones.

voliegurl said

on 11/27/2008 It is probably the Only plant I can grow, thanks for the tips and 5** with recommendations!

Walkaboutangel said

on 10/14/2008 Wow... I have to get one.... or three....

Great article

Have a magical day

Angel

wytetyger059 said

on 10/2/2008 Thanks. I've been trying to grow these for years. This is the first one I've had success with. I was always overwatering. That kills them. They are way cool!

1stSgtPinkerton said

on 10/2/2008 Great article. I'm always looking to liven the house up a bit, and plants just do it for me. I've never tried "air plants", but I will now! 5 Stars.