Airplants are incredible.  Tillandsia or ‘airplants’ are a genus of plants with specialized leaves that absorb water and nutrients, allowing them to grow suspended in air.  The ability to grow harmlessly on another plant or ‘epiphytically’ is not unique to Tillandsia but they have perfected it.  Unlike parasites which draw nutrients from their host, epiphytes simply require physical support and provide for themselves with water and nutrients gathered from rain and air.  Their roots are only for clinging to their perch while Tillandsia or ‘airplants’ gather all they need independent from the constraints of soil below. 

More about Tillandsia

Tillandsia are diverse with over 600 species featuring a dizzying array of shapes, colors, and blooms.  They inhabit a wide range of environments from moist rain forests to dry deserts.  Whether nestled amongst a cacti’s thorns, clinging to a bare rock cliff, or tucked into the crook of a towering tree airplants find themselves at home.  They are only native to the New World, their range stretching from the southern United States through South America.  Tillandsia  are relatively recent evolutionarily and a member of the Bromelieacea family which also contain pineapples and many ornamental species.  Adapting to a life above the ground has opened up countless niches for Tillandsia to thrive in nature while their charismatic form and beautiful blooms and foliage have made them a sought after addition to any plant lover’s collection.

A Tillandsia nursery in Hawaii, my favorite place in the world!

Planting our AirplantFrame with Tillandsia is easy, learn more here 

Air plants or Tillandsia can reproduce through offsets.  After the mother plant blooms it creates offsets from its base that can form a large clump over time with hundreds of individual plants growing together.

Reproduction also occurs through the use of seeds.  These form after the bloom is complete and often have a dandelion like tufted seed that catches the wind and grows wherever it lands.  This can result in Tillandsia growing everywhere from tree tops to bare cliffs and even telephone lines! 

You can purchase a booster kit of our top quality air plants here.  Careful though, it's hard to just collect a few!