Tips for Growing a Tillandsia Air Plant

For the past few months I've been growing and taking care of several Tillandsia Air Plants. One of the things I love about them is that they are easy-to-grow, require very little care and they take up very little space! They are great little plants for those who live in apartments, RV's, travel trailers or put one on your desk at the office.

The official name for these plants is Tillandsia but many people refer to them as Air Plants because they need very little water to survive and need partial sunlight. In my planters...I have them hovering above some natural beach sand as I like that look the best.

Tips for Growing a Tillandsia Air Plant

* They need very little water! When watering...remove them from your container and turn them upside down. Place some bottled spring water into a misting bottle and lightly mist the plant. Once misted, lay it upside down on a paper towel to air dry. Once dry...place it back into your container. You NEVER want to use tap water (chemicals) or distilled water. They thrive best with spring water. When it comes to the frequency of watering...you only want to "mist" them a tiny little bit every week. Do NOT over-water!

* The Tillandsia Air Plant needs partial sun for 2-3 hours every day. This sunlight can be morning or evening sun. It's best to avoid hot afternoon direct sun which can kill them. Walk around your home and look for a window that gets partial sunlight for a couple of hours per day. That would make the best spot for your air plant.

* The optimum temperature range for this type of plant is 50 to 90 degrees F. If you live in a colder climate you may want to relocate your air plant to a different room in the home if that particular window gets cold drafts. Do not try growing this plant in a hot attic, hot sun room or damp, wet basement area.

* I like to grow mine in clear glass containers (like a fish bowl) and place small natural objects inside. The one I am showing in the photo above is in a glass fish bowl with natural beach sand, a tiny starfish, 2 small sea shells and a small piece of natural coral. You can add any natural objects that you would like! Avoid using "craft" sand that you find at your local craft supply stores! 

Growing the Tillandsia Air Plant is a really easy thing to do! They are hearty little plants that do well in most areas of your home. They require very little care and take up very little space! You can get creative with your plant containers and the items you put inside with them. A great houseplant for those with a "brown thumb" to try!