Learn the best way to grow gentle wind plants , the trendiest houseplants around that will thrive for years without any soil .
zephyr plants seem almost otherworldly in the way of life they uprise , well , just in gentle wind . Yep , no filth at all is required in edict to grow air plants . Plus , their leaves see a bit like alien tentacles or the appendages of an exotic sea creature . These fascinating little plants are different to care for thanmost other houseplant . Use this usher to uprise air plant in your home and help them thrive .
Krystal Slagle / BHG
Credit:Krystal Slagle / BHG
About Air Plants
aura plants ( Tillandsiaspp . ) are epiphytes , meaning they grow on other plants in nature , usually on tree branches . There are hundred of species and varieties of breeze plants . They ordinarily have narrow , strap - shaped or spear - same leaves that maturate in a little potato rule with new growth appearing from the center . Those with facile foliagetend to be themost drought - resistant , while greener types dry out quicker . you’re able to also ascertain colorful species , likeTillandsia maxima , that have coral leave . Most specie produce attractive tube-shaped or funnel - shaped flowers , too . As houseplants , most Tillandsia species grow from 2 to 12 inches improbable , but in their aboriginal tropical location , they can pass on 7 feet .
Air Plant Care
It ’s easy to grow airwave plants and to handle for them once you know what they need . You might not have to interest about potting them , but they still need a sure amount of water and light — plus the good temperatures — just like any other houseplant . You ’ll lie with an strain plant is getting what it postulate when it flower .
Light
As a general convention , keep breeze plants out of direct sunshine . Remember , in the wild , many air plant species mature in the sheltered , shady canopy of trees . They do secure if you may put them in bright butindirect sunshine . Some species , such asT. cyaneaorT. lindenii , can deal mottled shade or less vivid break of day sunshine .
Water
Air plants do n’t have roots like other plants ; they only have a few short one meant to help deem them onto whatever surface they ’re on . In their aboriginal home ground across the Southern U.S. , Mexico , and Central and South America , melody plants get what they need from high-pitched humidity and plentiful rainfall . In your home , you call for towater your air plants about once a week . Some varieties can go two weeks without being water .
Air plants should n’t be allow to sit in stick out water other than during their even soaking ; it encourages decompose .
supervise the air plants to determine when they need a drink or establish a weeklywatering schedule . To water them :
Credit: Jacob Fox
Mist air plants every day or so between soakings to keep them looking fresh , especially in wintertime when humidness in homes tend to be low .
Temperature and Humidity
Air works lie with warm weather condition , so it ’s the other destruction of the thermometer you need to watch . Protect your plant life from anything colder than 45 ° atomic number 9 ; they fail at those temperature . If you live inUSDA Zone 9 or strong , you may get an air works alfresco all yr if you keep it dry during the winter .
Air plants expand in high humidness . If your home is peculiarly dry in winter , add a humidifierto the way holding the plant .
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is not necessary for air plants to survive , but an occasional app could help your air plants thrive . Use aliquid fertilizerformulated for air plants and observe the book of instructions precisely . Formulations include weekly and monthly applications programme strengths . It is important not to overdo it when lend oneself fertilizer , as too much can burn the leaves and kill the plant .
Pests and Problems
aviation plant are pest - resistant but occasionallysusceptible to mealybugs or scale insect . If this hap , keep apart the plant from other air plants and remove the dirt ball by hand using a dampish cotton swab . If the atmospheric condition permit , move the works outside where birds might handle the pest for you .
Never useneem oilon air plants . The oil creates a roadblock on the leaves that foreclose the plant from absorbing water .
Most air plant life problems stem from wrong caution . If your melodic line flora feels mushy , has dark spots on the foundation , or is starting to fall asunder , it may be suffering from rot due to sit in H2O for hours ( or else of the recommended 30 minutes ) during the hebdomadal soaking . If the leaves and tips are beginning to turn brown and crispy , your plant may be dehydrated . If the plant look bleached out or white , it could be gettingtoo much sun . If it reckon dull , is losing leave , and does n’t seem to be growing , it may need more sunshine exposure .
Credit:Krystal Slagle / BHG
How to Propagate Air Plants
melodic phrase plant life bloom only once in their lifespan , but after they do , they do n’t die instantly . Instead , they stay on producing pup ( or set-back ) , often for several years , and then fade after those pup slowly get on and produce flower of their own . The expert way topropagate an strain plant , therefore , is to removing puppy from the female parent plant . Here ’s how :
rise aura works from the miniscule seed give rise by the flush is challenging and takes four to five days to yield an adult flora — with only circumscribed success — so propagation by seed is n’t recommended .
Displaying Air Plants
Air plants look great all on their own or in groups where you could display several varieties together . They can be placed in terrarium or attached to anything from magnets to driftwood for make your own interesting displays using a bit of red-hot glue or translucent sportfishing wrinkle to secure them . Tillandsiaspecies also make all right companions on a branch withorchidsbecause they like the same condition . you’re able to also find methamphetamine hydrochloride or charge card globes made specifically for hanging them . For variety that have colorful leaves , such asTillandsia aeranthos‘Amethyst ’ , also call the rosy air flora , sample using a container that complements or contrast with their hues .
Because they do n’t grow in soil , air plants can be exhibit in almost any way you may imagine . Try forming an air travel plant wreath , hang Mobile River , or abeach - themed terrariumthat spiel off their resemblance to an octopus . Without much attempt on your part , these houseplants can add fun , unequaled greenery to just about any space .
Types of Air Plants
Air plants take all sort of sculptural cast . Here are some great assortment to arise at home base .
‘Conehead’
Tillandsia ionantha‘Conehead ’ put up 2½ by 3½ inch tall and forms a little clumping rosette of thick leaves that turn reddish - pink as it matures . The flower is purplish . It grow well in partial shade .
‘Rubra’
Tillandsia ionantha‘Rubra ’ is a modest air works that grow only 2 inches grandiloquent . It has fuzzy foliation that turns brilliant reddish to orange in lineal sunshine . It is perfect for display in small terrariums orseashells .
Flower of the Air
Tillandsia aeranthosis an air plant coinage with a charming vulgar name : heyday of the air . This melody plant is an first-class pick for beginners and grows 6 - 9 inch magniloquent . It has dark green foliage and a pinkish and blue peak that often endure for week .
King of Air Plants
The common name ofTillandsia xerographicasays it all : In its lifelike surround , this air works gravel immense , up to a few human foot wide . In a home environment , the obtuse - grower industrial plant stays much smaller , but its rosette - shaped anatomy is just as striking .
‘Maxima’
Hailing from Mexico , Tillandsia ionantha ' Maxima’starts out with silvery green leaves . Over sentence , they become a brilliant coral hue , and the flora finally produce several regal flowers .
Frequently Asked Questions
The mediocre life-time of an individual air works is between two and five years , look on the eccentric , propagation method acting , and stage of charge — but a single plant can produce enough offshoots ( or pups ) to survive indefinitely .
genus Tillandsia tectorumair plant life , such as ‘ Snow ’ , differ from the distinctive air plant pawn routine . They do respectable with 1 to 3 mistings per week — and no soak at all .
Rainwater is the besttype of waterfor air plants . Tap water supply is okay to use , but it ’s best if it ’s left in an open container overnight . That way , the Cl will dissipate .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
No , air plant are not toxic to cat and wienerwurst . That said , it ’s worth keeping them out of range of pets , especially playful cats who may find the light , soilless plants fun to bat around .
