Info air plants

The Tillandsia is also called an air plant or epiphyte. This means that the plant does not get its nutrients from the soil, but from the air. Air plants grow on other plants, rocks or trees without extracting nutrients from them. They therefore have little or no roots. They absorb oxygen, water and other nutrients from the environment through small mouths in the leaf.

You can place or hang Tillandsias anywhere. You often see a Tillandsia usneoides as a hanging plant, and a Xerographica is more likely to be placed or attached somewhere.

Did you know that the Tillandsia is named after the Swedish botanist Elias Tillandz? Not only because his name means 'over land', but also because he himself preferred to travel over land rather than over water. It is said that Tillandz hated water - just like the air plant is not a fan. You will therefore never find this plant on earth.

How do you care for a Tillandsia air plant?

Air plants originate from rainforests in Central and South America, and belong to the Bromeliad family. For this reason, the plant is used to high humidity, which you can maintain at home with regular spraying.

Furthermore, the plant is quite easy to care for. Place the plant in a light spot, not in full sun, and not above or near a heater.

Water air plants by spraying them twice a week. During warm summer days we recommend doing this about 3 to 4 times a week. If you have the opportunity, spray them with rainwater.

Immerse

You can also give your air plants a boost by immersing them in a bath of lukewarm water. This will give your plant a real boost. Do not leave them in the bath for less than 1 hour and shake them well. Make sure the plant dries well, also between the leaves, to prevent possible rotting.