05/18/2026
Air plants, we still get loads of questions on these buddies so let’s get into it.
Tillandsia, or “air plants” is a family of nearly 650 species within the larger bromeliad family. They are soil free ephiphytes, meaning in nature, they grow on trees.
Spanish moss is likely one of the most iconic air plant you probably didn’t even know was an airplant. We stock these in the store, in addition to maybe a dozen other very cool varieties. Tillandsia, like other bromeliad come in a wide variety of colors, sizes and do flower!
Now, “air plant” does NOT mean they don’t need the usual trifecta of care - water, light and nutrition - by most certainly do! Whereas you can keep these in a variety of ways, in a dish, on a shelf, mounted to driftwood or bark, they do require bright indirect light, and usually a quick weekly soaking, in addition to air plant food.
In nature, airplants like malt epiphytes receive nutrition from detritus and it makes it way down the canopy. And because of the way they generally attach themselves to other living structures, the water doesn’t risk pooling in the nooks and crannies the saw way they might settled in a shelf in your home. That’s why it’s important to make sure they dry out well after their soaking. You certainly can mist between soaks as well!
Native to the Americas, there are two main categories - Xeric Air Plants, native to desert climates, which have a heavy coating of silver fuzz (trichomes) to catch minimal moisture and reflect intense sunlight.
Mesic Air Plants, native to humid rainforests, which feature smooth, deeper green leaves and require more frequent waterings and shaded environments.
*the last photo in the slide is air plants we spotted on our trip to Costa Rica!
💚 Which air plant is your favorite? What plants or tips should we feature next? Comment and let us know!