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What is an Air Plant - Tillandsia?
Tillandsias are the most interesting, exotic, and fun plants that exist. Tillandsia are part of the Bromeliad family, the Genus name is Tillandsia, but most people call them Air Plants.
There are over 500 species of Tillandsia (plus many hybrids) that grow in Mexico, South and Central Americas.
There are about 16 species that are native to florida and most are endangered.
Tillandsias take in all their water and nutrients through the leaf system, none or very minimal amounts are
absorbed by the root system. They roots are used as wire like anchors to hold onto trees, rocks etc. Since the
root system is not important to the plant it can be removed without harm, to make your plant easier to mount.
Growth Cycle
Bromeliad Tillandsia have a life cycle of one plant growing to maturity and blooming. Before, during or after
blooming (depending on the species), your plant will start producing young (PUPS). Most plants will produce
between 2-8 pups which in return will mature, generally within a year and in turn will bloom and produce pups.
Say this year you have one plant, next year maybe six, the next year 36 and so on. The not so bad news is that
each plant will flower only once in its lifetime, but you should have blooms every year or less as the pups
mature and in turn flower. Flowers can last from several days to many months depending on the species. Most
Tillandsia bloom naturally in late winter through mid-summer.
General Info
- Tillandsias DO have to be watered.
- Tillandsias are NOT parasitic, they do not harm the host tree.
- Trimming away brown or bent leaves will not harm the plant.
Main reasons why Tillandsias die
- They were not initially cared for properly (little to no water or over-watered).
- They did not get sufficient light (they were more than 10 feet away from a brigt window or skylight.
- They were placed in DIRECT SUN.
- They were not watered thoroughly and on schedule. Bulby and fleshy Tillandsias can rot.
Drain them or shake off excess water and make sure they are completely dry before watering again.
- Remember, Tillandsias growing outdoors need more watering than indoor Tillandsias, as the sun and wind
dry them out more quickly.
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