Hello.
I'm your new plant BFF! I'm a super easy companion.
Quick and easy air plant care
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*mist me with water every few days
*or submerge me in luke-warm water for 20 minutes about once every other week or so *give me a little shake to help me dry *I only need indirect sun or even just regular indoor lighting SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC CARE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR PLANT |
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I am gifting an Air Plant
If you purchased an air plant to give as a gift and are not immediately giving it to it's receipient you will need to be sure to keep it alive until it gets its new BFF.
While you have the plant be sure it is getting plenty of light. Often you can just open the box and set it near a window but if it looks like the plant is far down in the box you can also set it on top of the box so that it can get plenty of light. Lamp light is sufficient! If you are going to have the air plant for longer than a week you will need to give it a spray on day 10. Be sure that the recepient knows that the gift will need to be opened ASAP. A label has been attached to the box but it might be a good idea to let them know. |
General care and tips
I may have little parts of me that dry up, so just like any other plant you can gently pull them off at the base or cut off any dead tips.
If I seem a little droopy, you'll know it's time for a bath!
What's cool is that since I don't need soil I can hang anywhere! Some people like to make me a terrarium with sand and rocks, others like to use me to spruce up little pots or vases, I also look really good as hair! Just be sure wherever I end up I can be sprayed with water or picked up and submerged so if you glue me to something (yep I can be glued to things!) that whatever it is can get wet and not be ruined. Also be sure most of me can access some light so don't but me down in an opaque mug but a clear one would be perfect. I do still need air so don't close me up in anything.
If I seem a little droopy, you'll know it's time for a bath!
What's cool is that since I don't need soil I can hang anywhere! Some people like to make me a terrarium with sand and rocks, others like to use me to spruce up little pots or vases, I also look really good as hair! Just be sure wherever I end up I can be sprayed with water or picked up and submerged so if you glue me to something (yep I can be glued to things!) that whatever it is can get wet and not be ruined. Also be sure most of me can access some light so don't but me down in an opaque mug but a clear one would be perfect. I do still need air so don't close me up in anything.
I only flower once in my life! When I flower that means I can have pups. I may produce one to three pups after I flower. Once the pups are about 1/3 of my body size you can take them off and have a new plant BFF or you can leave them on creating a cluster. If you choose to cluster I may dry up but my pups will take over and then flower as well!
Types of Air Plants
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Tillandsia Ionantha MexicanThis spiky BFF is one of the heartiest of the air plant fam. Believe or not, this guy produces a beautiful flower, but only once. It will then prodcue a pup or two. If the pups are left with the mother plant, she will eventually start to dry and wilt. But the pups will form a cluster plant.
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Tillandsia Ionantha ScaposaThese cute little BFFS grow easily and can easily form clumps of 3 to 5 plants. They are usually green but will turn red or pink before blooming. They have purple flowers before producing their pups. These guys stay relatively small.
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Tillandsia Caput MedusaeThis snake-like BFF gets its name from the mythical Medusa. It particularly likes humidity so this is a great plant to have in the bathroom, however, just spraying it once a week will allow it to live anywhere. Be sure to really shake it dry because any water left at its base can cause it to rot. If next to something like bark, it may start to attach to it with it roots.
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Tillandsia ButziiThis BFF looks a little like a Caput Medusae but has a smaller bulb and more spindly leaves. This guy is a bit more tempermental and needs to be sprayed 3 to 5 times a week. Be careful if you submerge this guy because he is very prone to rot so be sure that there is no water sticking in the base.
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Tillandsia Abdita BrachycaulosThese bright green BFFS turn a beautiful red when they are ready to bloom. These are a larger air plant variety and work great in a candle stick holder! These guys need a bit more water and do best if soaked for 20 minutes every 7 to 10 days but be sure to shake them and let them dry upside down.
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Tillandsia HarrisiiThis silvery green BFF and can reach upwards of 8 inches. They are one of the more slow growing air plants and it make a couple years before they bloom. These buys are pretty low maintenance and just need the standard air plant care.
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Mini Tillandsia Tectorum EcudorThese BFFs are one of my favorites! This picutre does not do it justice. These little guys feature "furry" delicate leaves. While a hardy air plant there is one rule for these guys, DO NOT SUBMERGE! These guys just need a misting once every 1 to 3 weeks.
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Tillandsai Bulbosa GuatemalaThis dark green plant BFF is an eye catcher for sure! The beautiful dark green color and spindly leaves give this BFF some character. If the bulb is up against something with some texture it may start to cling to the object with its roots.
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Large Tillandsia VelutinaThis BFF features more soft green velvety like leaves, hence it's name. This plant can grow to be quite large!
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