Air Plants Webinar 1/29/2021

Air Plants
What are They and How to Use Them

Tillandsias – Air Plants

• The grey tillandsias
• Differ from green cousins
• Bear absorbent furry scales –called “trichomes”
• Take up water from humidity
• Obtain nutrients from air-born dust
• Literally “live on air”
• Belong to bromeliad family

Understanding Air Plants

• Classification
• Cultivars and Hybrids
• Native Habitat
• Root System
• Trichomes
• Xeric Tillandsias – “Xerophyte”
• Mesic Tillandsias – “Mesic”

Growing Conditions

• Light: Bright light, but not direct sunlight. A south, east or west window is perfect. They can also be grown under fluorescent tubes.
• Water: Water 2 to 4 times a week with a mister. If your environment is dry, mist daily. Water until the plant is saturated. Or soak air plants in water once weekly for 30-60 minutes, draining thoroughly.
• Temperature: Some varieties can withstand near freezing temperatures, but most will thrive between 70 F and 85 F. High humidity is a bonus.
• Support: Glue tillandsias to cork, coral, stone, or driftwood. Only a few varieties can adapt to soil.
• Fertilizer: Use a low-copper liquid fertilizer, diluted to 1/4 strength. Feed monthly.

Preferred Environments for Air Plants

• Well-ventilated
• Sunlight – in natural habitat, they attach themselves to trees, so they like soft light like that filtered through leaves. Place in gentle sunlight.
• Avoid direct sunlight in summer due to higher heat levels.
• Position them to catch a natural breeze.
• Ventilation is as important as sunlight.
• They do not like water to collect on the leaves.
• Ideally water should evaporate within ½ day after watering or spraying.
• Fresh air is extremely important – open a window or place them outside.
• They love water! They cope with dry conditions, but they are water loving plants.
• Spray once a day until they are dripping wet.
• In Spring and Fall, dusk to night is the best time to water or spray, mimicking night dew and night fog.
• Air plants have pores that open at night.
• Avoid getting cold when wet.

How to water and when

Watering method:

• Misting – spray all surfaces between 3 - 7 X/week
• Dunking – briefly immerse plant in water for a few minutes, 2 - 4 X/week (mesic), once every 7-10 days for xeric
• Soaking – submerge plant 1x/week for 1 to 2 hours

Advantages and disadvantages:

• Easy and every day, but will not rehydrate a thirsty plant and stray water could land on furniture and floors
• Easy and quick, but will not rehydrate really thirsty plants, requires removing from display
• Provides deep and thorough watering & can restore depleted plants; requires removing from display and several hours in a sink

Caring for Air Plants

• Bloom Cycle
• Growth Cycle
• Sun Exposure
• Light Problems
• Watering
• Misting
• Dunking
• Underwatering and overwatering

Know-how

• Soaking the plants
• Temperature
• Fertilizer
• Maintaining the plant’s appearance
• Removing dead leaves
• Removing from parent plants
• Propagation

Pests and diseases

• Mealybugs
• Fungus and rot

500 different species of flowering perennial plants in the Tillandsia genus, a part of the Bromeliad family

• The term "air plant" refers to any of roughly 500 different species of flowering perennial plantsin the Tillandsia genus, a part of the Bromeliad
• These are plants that require no soil for their roots.
• Instead, they extract moisture from the air; plants of this type are known as epiphytes. 
• In their natural element, you may find Tillandsia plants growing on trees, anchored to the bark.

Spanish moss is one type of Tillandsia.

• They are native to warm, arid regions, where they do best in bright, filtered light conditions.
• Although perennial in a sufficiently warm climate, air plants are normally grown as indoor houseplants, where they thrive under fluorescent lighting.
• Tillandsiaplants are now quite trendy
• Although once rare in commercial use, Tillandsiaplants are now quite trendy
• Are used in a variety of hanging garden applications. While a few species can be grown in pots, most are mounted on pieces of bark or driftwood and suspended in air
• Most are fairly diminutive plants that need to be viewed up close. 

Most common display

• Mounted on bark
• Any bark will do

Where to find tillandsias:

• Native to Central and South America
• Laying around in the glasshouse
• Or wired to a display basket

Best mounting technique

• Air plants, earth stars, hen & chick, reindeer moss and lichens

Care

• Spray water with spray bottle or remove plant from glass and dunk in water once per week
• Nutrient with ¼ strength liquid fertilizer once per month March to October
• Surround with moss to increase humidity levels
• Do not overwater!

Humidity held around the plant

• Types of mosses

Main types of Air Plants – Divided by silver and green leaf color

Silver-leaved types

• Trichomes cover entire leaf surfaces
• Appear white or silver
• Excellent capacity for moisture absorption
• Relatively resistant to dryness
• Slow metabolism and slow growth
• Tolerant of shade and low light
• Weak point is too much water
• Need excellent ventilation

Green-leaved types

• Trichomes not immediately obvious, so appear green
• Thrive with plenty of water because native to rainforests
• Fast vigorous growers
• Less tolerant of shade, need bright locations
• Not direct sunlight or leaves burn
• OK where air remains still, so OK in terrariums
• Even if basal outer edges appear silver they are handled as green

Classification by form

• Pot shape
• Grass types
• Tank type

Here are 25 great Tillandsia species and cultivars to consider for indoor growing: 

• Although there are many species of Tillandsia, many do not have their own common names. Instead, they are simply lumped together as
• "air plants" or "sky plants."
• Or, they may be sold simply by their species name.

Sky Plant (Tillandsia ionantha)

• Tillandsia ionantha is one of the most popular air plants. Dozens of cultivars are available, but the species version is very popular, partly because it is extremely hardy and hard to kill. Tillandsia ionantha is an attractive plant, with layers silvery-green leaves that deepen in color as they grow and extend. The leaves turn shades of red and pink before the plant blooms with beautiful violet blossoms. 
• Native Area: Mexico, Central and South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 6 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

'Druid' Sky Plant (Tillandsia ionantha 'Druid')

• With the renewed popularity of air plants, growers are focusing on unusual colors. Unlike the red leaves of the species Tillandsia ionantha,the leaves of the 'Druid' cultivar turn a peachy-pink tone, and the flowers are white. This plant is usually quite tiny, but it is eye-catching none the less.
• Native Area: Mexico, Central and South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 2–4 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

'Maxima' Sky Plant (Tillandsia ionantha 'Maxima' or 'Huamelula')

• If you are in the market for an air plant that makes an impact, Tillandsia 'Maxima', also known as 'Huamalula', is worth a look. It can handle stronger sun than most air plants and produces multiple flowers simultaneously. The leaves turn a coral-red before the plant blooms with brilliant purple flowers. This is considered relatively large for an air plant, reaching 5 to 6 inches in height with a spread of 3 to 4 inches. 
• Native Area: Mexico, Central and South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 5–6 inches
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade (does well under fluorescent light)

'Fuego' (Tillandsia ionatha 'Fuego')

• Tiny, but quite the show-off, 'Fuego' is a cultivar bred to keep on blushing, long after blooming. The leaves retain their bright color for months. But they are small plants, using growing only about 1 inch tall. This could be a focal point in your air plant collection or a conversation starter on your table. They may not grow tall, but they do fill out quickly.
• Native Area: Mexico, Central and South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 1/2–3 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
  
  

Pink Quill Plant (Tillandsia cyanea)

• It's easy to see why Tillandsia cyaneais called the pink quill plant. The pink bracts fan out like a feather, with purple flowers poking out the sides. Unlike most air plants, you can even grow Tillandsia cyanea in soil. However, they are perfectly happy au natural, if given plenty of moisture.
• Air plants are in the tropical bromeliad family. When grown indoors, air plants will need to be watered regularly. You can submerge the plants in water and let them soak for about an hour, or you can mist them two to three times per week.
• Native Area: Ecuador
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 8–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Mad Pupper (Tillandsia aeranthos bergeri)

• Tillandsia aeranthos bergeri is one of the most popular air plants because of its vibrant flowers. It blooms reliably every spring in spiky pink and blue flowers. This is a very low maintenance plant, and as with most Tillandsiavarieties, it likes bright, indirect light or the fluorescent bulbs of the office.
• When air plants are in flower, water by lightly rinsing them under running water, rather than submerging them, which can ruin the flowers.
• Native Area: South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 6–10 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

'Kolbii' (Tillandsia scaposa 'Kolbii')

• Several air plants tend to grow sideways or snake in odd directions. 'Kolbii' resembles a bunch of celery. It usually only grows 2 to 3inches tall, but makes a statement with the soft, gray fuzz on its leaves, especially when they blush pink before blooming.
• As with many air plant, you may find this variety classified in several different ways in the trade: Tillandsia kolbii, scaposa 'Kolbii', or T, inonanta var. scaposa.
• Native Area: Guatamala
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 2–5 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Brachycaulos (Tillandsia brachycaulos)

• The leaves of Tillandsia brachycaulosfan outward from a central growing point and the plant turns red as it gets ready to bloom. You may even find plants with leaves that have been dyed red, to give the appearance of flowering. This is usually a fairly small plant, growing about 3 inches tall with a 4-inch spread, though some cultivars are larger. There is also a hybrid, brachycaulos x concolor, that is bred to remain bright, light green.
• Air plants are often displayed on hanging grids. It's a nice way to cluster a collection and allows the plants good air circulation.
• Native Area: Mexico, Central America, Venezuela
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 2–8 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Bulbous Air Plant (Tillandsia bulbosa)

• This air plant derives its name from its bulbous stem, but it is the contorted, narrow leaves that give it the most interest. They are often described as looking like tentacles and the plants do have a sort of sea monster appearance to them. The leaves will change color to purple or red, just before the plant is ready to bloom.
• When grown outdoors, Tillandsia bulbosahas a symbiotic relationship with ants. The bulbs are somewhat hollow and the ants make their home inside them. In exchange, the plant feeds off of waste the ants leave behind.
• Native Area: Southern Mexico, Central and South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 4–7 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light or part shade

Cacticola (Tillandsia cacticola)

• Tillandsia cacticolais hard to find in cultivation because it does not produce many offsets. However, it is greatly valued for its lovely lavender flower. The species name refers to its habit of growing on cacti. It has a silvery green rosette of leaves, out of which juts a long stem that holds the flower about eight to nine inches above the plant.
• Native Area: Peru
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 3–9 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Capita Peach Air Plant (Tillandsia capitata 'Peach')

• The thick leaves of Tillandsia capitata'Peach' are surprisingly soft to the touch. They form a silver-green rosette that changes to a peachy-pink, as it gets ready to bloom. The peach coloring makes a striking contrast to the purple flower. The largest specimens are 5 to 8 inches tall, although 2- to 3-inch plants are common. 
• Native Area: Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, Dominican Republic
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 2–8 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light; will tolerate full sun

Circinata (Tillandsia circinata)

• Thick silvery-green leaves give Tillandsia circinataa very substantial appearance, for an air plant, almost like a bulb of fennel. They flower in either yellow or purple and grow to 6 to 8 inches in length, although they are only about 1 inch across at their base.
• Native Area: Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas
• USDA Growing Zones: 10–11
• Height: 6–8 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light or part shade

'Cotton Candy' (Tillandsia stricta x T. recurvifolia)

• 'Cotton Candy' is a hybridderived from parents Tillandsia stricta and recurvifolia). It has long, thin, silvery leaves that look like a loose spider dahlia. It was bred for its striking pink flower spike. The pink bracts look as though they are puffed up or inflated. 'Cotton Candy' needs very bright light to flower its best. Most specimens are 5 to 6 inches across, although there are reports of 12-inch plants. 
• Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 5–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Loliacea (Tillandsia loliacea)

• If the miniature air plants fascinate you, Tillandsia loliacea is a real charmer. The plant never gets much larger than 1 1/2 inches tall, but it stretches its flower stalk up another 2 to 3 inches to display equally tiny yellow flowers. The small air plants look equally charming perched on wood or clustered in terrariums, where they can soak up the excess moisture.
• Native Area: Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 1–3 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Didsticha (Tillandsia didsticha)

• Tillandsia didsticha is very large for a Tillandsia, growing upwards of 1 foot tall at maturity. The base of the plant forms an airy spray of slender, gray-green, pointed leaves. Out of them comes the flower stalk with pinkish bracts and small white flowers. A popular cultivar is 'Burnt Fingers'.
• Native Area: Bolivia, Brazil
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 6–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Dyeriana (Tillandsia dyeriana)

• With its bright orange inflorescence, Tillandsia dyeriana  has a tropical flair. The actual flowers are white, but they are upstaged by the exuberance of the bracts. This is one of a few air plants that can also be grown in pots, where it can be better assured of adequate moisture. Give this air plant lots of humidity. When grown in pots, it can get rather large, at 12 to 18 inches in height. 
• Native Area: Mexico, Central America, Ecuador
• USDA Growing Zones: 7-9
• Height: 3–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Giant Air Plant (Tillandsia fasciculata)

• Unlike most air plants, Tillandsia fasciculatahas multiple common names, including quill-leaf air plant, giant air plant, cardinal air plant, and wild pineapple. This is one of the most commonly grown air plants and there are hundreds of variations and hybrids. The species has a red and green inflorescence that stays attractive for weeks. It is quite a large Tillandsia, with specimens as tall as 3 feet possible. 
• Native Area: Mexico, Central America, West Indies, northern South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: Up to 3 feet
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Flabellata (Tillandsia flabellata)

• Instead of a rosette of slender leaves, Tillandsia flabellatagrows tall and vase-shaped, with a spray of flowers sometimes described as a candelabra. This is a large plant, as air plants go, growing 10 to 12 inches tall, that sends out multiple red flower spikes.
• Native Area: Mexico, Central America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 6–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Argentea (Tillandsia fuchsii var. garcilis)

• This air plant was formerly called Tillandsia argentea. It has a bulbous base that is likened to a pincushion and long, extremely thin gray-green leaves. Tillandsia fuchsii garcilis is a delicate plant that only gets about 5 to 6 inches tall and remains 1 to 2 inches in width. Even the flashy orange-red inflorescence is dainty.
• Native Area: Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Jamaica
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 5–6 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

Funkiana (Tillandsia funkiana)

• These elongated air plants bend and curl into odd shapes, sometimes even spiraling around themselves. This is a tiny plant, growing only about 2 inches long. Tillandsia funkianais a great choice for a terrarium or simply as a desktop novelty. As with so many air plants, the leaves will turn red, as it gets ready to flower. The inflorescence is also red, with yellow flowers.
• Native Area: Venezuela
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 1–2 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

Gardneri (Tillandsia gardneri)

• Tillandsia gardnerilooks a bit like a small yucca, with pale grayish leaves that taper to a point. It's a large size air plant growing from 4 to 12 inches in height. This air plant would be a good choice if you can't provide the bright light and warm temperatures most air plants prefer. It's very forgiving, but it still needs plenty of moisture.
• Native Area:  Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, eastern Brazil, Venezuela.
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 4–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

Ball Moss (Tillandsia recurvata)

• Tillandsia recurvatagoes by the common name small ball moss or simply ball moss. It is more of a nest shape, with a mass of slender, arching gray-green leaves and a tall lavender flower spike. Its leaves grow 2 to 6 inches long. This plant often naturalizes in the Southeastern U.S., and it has the very peculiar habit of allowing its seeds to germinate while they are still in the seed pod. Tillandsia recurvata is a very easy plant to propagate.
• Native Area: Southern U.S., Central America, Chile to northern Argentina
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 2–6 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

'Pink Bronze' (Tillandsia stricta 'Pink Bronze')

• With a typical pineapple-type rosette of leaves, 'Pink Bronze' will develop a hint of pinky-bronze coloring if placed in strong, bright light. But it's the huge pink and purple flowers that steal the show here. This air plant is popular as a single specimen in small teardrop terrariums.
• Native Area: Trinidad, South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 6–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

'White Star'(Tillandsia ixioides x T. recurvifolia)

• 'Whitestar' is a genetic cross between Tillandsia ixioides X Tillandsia recurvifolia, however, it is much larger than either parent, growing up to 12 inches in height. The bracts are a rosy pink color with cream to yellow-colored flowers. The silver-gray leaves tend to curl about, giving it a sense of movement.
• Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to South America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 6–12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

Tillandsia tectorum Xerographica (Tillandsia xerographica)

• For an air plant, Tillandsia Xerographicahas unusually wide, flat gray-green leaves that curl around like ribbons. Much thinner new leaves sprout from the center of the rosette, but the broad outer leaves make a great contrast in a display with smaller air plants. Withholding water causes the leaves to curl attractively.
• Native Area: Mexico, Central America
• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
• Height: 6–15 inches
• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light; will tolerate some direct sun

Growing Air Plants or Tillandsia

• There are about 500 different species of tillandsia
• The best known is the Spanish moss that gracefully drapes from oak trees throughout the American South
• This huge genus—the largest in the bromeliad family—is sometimes divided into the grey-leaved air plants and green-leaved terrestrial plants
• In truth, all tillandsia are naturally epiphytic air plants that grow by clinging to trees and extracting excess moisture from the air
• Once rare, tillandsia is now common in garden centers, where they are frequently sold as part of hanging gardens
• Only a few tillandsias can be grown in pots—the rest must be mounted.

Propagation

• Tillandsias reproduce by putting out offsets, or pups, from the base of the mother plant
• When the pups are half the size of the mother, they can be divided and mounted on their own
• Tillandsias can also be grown from seed, but this is a slow process that might take years

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