I was captivated by these small little air plants when I first noticed them. The name is Tillandsia aka Tilly the air plant. They live without soil. I have only had them a week and I am trying to keep them going and keep them green if I can....it isn't as easy as it sounds. They need fresh moving air so I am hoping keeping them in this fish bowl I picked up from the thrift store will work. Sun too and I am thinking more filtered than the bright direct sun or they might bake. I don't have any hanging spots so hopefully the bowl with have enough moving air. Tillandsia, air plants ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) I bought seven of them and they are the cutest little things...I am hoping they grow large and I will gladly find them a new home. Tillandsia , air plants ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Tillandsia , air plant ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Tillandsia, air plant ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Tillandsia, air plant ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Tillandsia, air plant ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) You can mount them to boards, tile or other objects or just put them in a globe. The green stuff in the bowl is moss, it comes in different colors. If anyone knows of any tips or hints to get them to grow, please feel free to fill me in on the information.
I can only tell you that you should not let your cute little plants have their feet wet constantly. They really like to hand out in moist air.
Thanks for posting this. I haven't soaked mine in probably two months and two varieties weren't looking as chipper as they should have. Will wait and see how they survive the winter neglect and colder window temps. My directions that came with them said to soak for an hour or so and then make sure no water was sitting in the crown. Do this every week to ten days. This has been successful for me. Mine sit in an east facing window in the bathroom. They are laid on top of orchid bark. Actually I treat mine pretty much like my orchid. For the air plants I sometimes fill the pots with a little water for humidity. Not so much that the water would reach the base or roots. Except for an odd fern or two all my house plants are succulents or these air plants. I've gotten pretty lazy trying to care for house plants so many have made their way to work to get pawned off on people. These air plants seem pretty easy...at least they are holding their own. Good luck with yours. I did purchase the fertilizer spray for them also, but have greatly diluted it. A good soak ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Air plants ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )
I love those little guys, but have managed to kill every one I bought. I think its' because I didn't keep them "humid" enough. And I'd forget to spray them. I tend to forget to care for houseplants. Good luck with your's... they look cute in that fish bowl!
Thank you cherylad and Jewel and waretrop... Jewel...How long have you had some of yours? I love the one hanging but every one around that is selling them, they are so small. I could try ordering from the internet but I hate the shipping costs unless you place a big order. Yours look healthier than the ones I bought. Hopefully the trip home from the store didn't affect them, it was pretty chilly. Not sure how long mine will make it...I am not the greatest with indoor plants either, keeping them on a schedule might be the answer but I go by when the soil seems dry for the other types of plants. I will try keeping a spray bottle close-by for the air plants. I had all these marbles from when my kids were small and I had finally put them to use instead of sitting in a bag. Thank you for the tips and I will order some fertilizer and dilute it and see how that works. I hate to invest too much in them only to have the air plants die. I am not very good at taking care of orchids. I didn't buy any when I found a deal at Home Depot when they were selling orchids for 5 dollars and they were good size. I just knew their outcome...
I can't seem to keep an air plant alive either. I'm either neglecting them or paying too much attention. I've given up. But I sometimes get the urge to try again... but never dare to try...
Sherry my first ones I got about a year ago. One has roots now and the other has a baby. The 2nd batch I also got from Amazon, hinterland I think was the company. They were all healthy. Soaking for a good long time seems to be the key.then not letting any water set in between the leaves.
Thank you Jewell...babys, how cool is that! what kind of water are you soaking them in? I know that they said no distilled water but I am not sure about our tap water. We are on a large well in our town and the water is treated...not sure if the chemicals will harm them.
I have one. It hangs out in the trunk of a Dracaena tree. I noticed it has a flower bud poking out this morning. I spritz it with a squirt bottle once or twice a week while inside, or if it hasn't rained for a few days while outside. Tillandsia (air plant) ( photo / image / picture from purpleinopp's Garden )
and it looks like it will be blooming soon purpleinopp...great picture. It is a beautiful picture... show us the plant blooming if you can...thank you
You wanna hear one better than that? About 3 months ago we bought 3 totaling $100.00. About 3 weeks later we asked each other where those Tillandsia were???? We looked in the greenhouse, and the house, and the cars even under the seats.... not a trace of them. Don't know where we bought them we travel to so many distant places... We never got to enjoy them but I am sure we didn't kill them. If they are in the greenhouse they will do fine. If they are still at the store they have been sold to someone else and they double profit... LOL Silly hubby and I..
waretrop...oh, no..I guess you had to much on your mind at the time... :'( I went to soak them last night and I started to peel away the dead brown on the first lone plant in my pictures and the bottom was gone...all I have are pieces which I think will just dry up, no root area. So Hopefully I can keep the others alive longer...
