What is an Airplant?

What is an Airplant?

"Are these real plants?"  That is the number one question I hear at all of my markets.  And with good reason!  People are amazed when they see these beautiful plants thriving without soil.  

 

So what exactly is an airplant?

Airplants belong to the Tillandsia genus, a part of the Bromeliad family. There are over 600 different species of Tillandsia which are native to the Americas, from the southern United States to Argentina. 

Like the majority of orchids, airplants are epiphytes.  This means that they anchor themselves to another plant or inanimate object without drawing any nutrient from the host.  Airplants are typically found clinging to trees, rocks, or other surfaces.

Unlike most plants that rely on soil for nutrients, airplants have trichomes (tiny hair-like structures) on their leaves that allow them to absorb water and nutrients from the air. This adaptation enables them to grow in a wide range of environments, from rainforests to deserts.

Does this mean I can just forget about them?

No!  Even though these are very low-maintenance plants, they still need water and sunlight especially to adapt to indoor growing conditions.

Most airplants need a 45-60 minute soaking in water once a week, while some only need to be sprayed with water once or twice a week. 

And don't worry - when you purchase a tillandsia from our website, we will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your new, super amazing, super cute air plant baby.

 

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