Air plants are popular flowering houseplants and are considered as the cousin of the famousBromeliad.
Fortunately, there are different types of air plants to choose from.
In this post, we rundown some of the most common types to choose for your home.
Notable FAQs in terms of care and maintenance are also covered.
It is unique in a sense that it doesnt need soil and is not water dependent.
In the wild, they are considered as epiphytes.
They attach themselves to a host, but they do not have a parasitic relationship with them.
As houseplants, this plant grows with the help of the occasional watering and enough sunlight.
Hence, considered as one of the most perfect indoor plants.
Air plant symbolism
Air plants, even in the aspect of symbolism, are very uncomplicated.
Air plant symbolizes freedom and creativity.
Freedom as it is considered lightweight in nature and can be travelled from one place to another.
How do I identify an air plant?
Identified mainly by their tiny size and the absence of visible roots.
They are usually bright to pale green in color, have thin and long drooping leaves.
They attach themselves likeorchidsin big trees and hang indoors, making them very soothing to the eyes.
Air plant benefits
Types of air plants
1.Argentea (Tillandsia fuchsii var.
It grows from 5-6-inches tall and a width of 1-2-inches.
It is notable for its long, flexible leavesthat are thin and marked with horizontal lines.
This throw in produces pinkish flowers that are 3-cm long.
It has a nest shape, gray-green leaves with emerginglavender flowers.
Its special feature is that its seeds germinate even on a seed pod which makes it easy to propagate.
Another special feature is that the plant, when turned red, indicates that its flowers are already blooming.
This plant has a symbiotic relationship with ants, thus, allowing them to live inside them.
Requires a bit of sunlight and grows from 4-7-inches in height.
This throw in also does not produce many offsets making it hard to find during cultivation.
This also makes it a rare key in of air plant.
It has skinny, pointed, gray-green leaves which form from the base of the plant.
The flower it produces has pinkish bracts and has white flowers.
It grows for about 2-4-inches and requires bright but not direct sunlight.
This bang out can be grown in pots but check that that it receives moisture to grow.
When placed in pots, it can grow largely up to 18-inches high.
It produces red flowers and is growing about 12-inches high.
This plant grows only 1-inch high.
This is best placed in an office tabletop or in a sala set table.
Grows for about 2-inches high and considered to be a desktop plant.
Its leaves also turn red when the flowers are blooming, have red inflorescence and produce yellow flowers.
14.Fuzzy wuzzy (Tillandsiapruinosa)
This jot down of air plant has velvety twisting leaves.
It produces purple flowers with bulbs in vibrant pink.
It requires good circulation rather than sunlight but still needs partial sunlight.
It has pale grayish leaves and is considered to be large as it grows up to 12-inches tall.
If you want a plant that does not require bright lights, this is best of your choice.
It has soft leaves that are silver in color with shades of purple when in bloom.
It has unique wide, flat gray-green leaves.
New leaves sprout on the center of the rosettes.
Stored water from the plants makes the leaves grow beautifully.
19.Kolbii (Tillandsia scaposa Kolbii)
This pop in of air plant grows in differently-odd directions.
So, when growing such a plant, check that that it receives enough moisture to revitalize the plant.
It is known for its self-pollinating flowers.
It emerges during spring and blooms in pink and blue colors.
Its attractive feature is that it produces multiple purple flowers simultaneously.
Unlike other varieties, the leaves turn red before the plant blooms.
It is classified as a large air plant since its growth can reach up to 6 inches high.
It has a silver-green rosette that turns to a pink hue when the flowers are ready to bloom.
The contrast of peach and purple color makes this jot down more attractive than the others.
Also classified under large plants as it reaches up to 8-inches tall.
It thrives on a bright light and grows up to 12-inches tall.
It is a smaller plant compared to the other variety that produces dull pink flowers.
Best as a houseplant.
The tectorum is soft and is very lightweight.
This throw in of air plant can grow large especially if well taken care of.
Note that this needs less water compared to the other types and can withstand direct sunlight.
It is identified by its green leaves covered in trichomes.
This punch in of air plant grows up to 10-inches tall.
It is mostly seen in forests as it grows on the sides ofpine treesin pine.
It also produces purple spikes where the flowers in the same color emerge.
Its colors depend on the light conditions.
Bright green when located on high lights and light green when in low lights.
It has leaves that develop into a deep violet color.
When it blooms, it produces a neon pink flower.
It has silver leaves in star shape and produces flowers in pink and spikes in bright yellow.
31.Xerographica (Tillandsia xerographica)
This throw in of air plant is also known as Xeros.
This one grows clinging to the trees.
It is identifiable by its curly silver leaves and spirals around it as they grow.
Xeros have a distinctive aesthetic, even among other air plants.
Here are some ways on how to display air plants.
Related:15+ Creative and Cheap Hanging Air Plant Holders
Where to buy air plants?
FAQs
How many types of air plants are there?
There are several types of air plants you’re free to choose from.
At best, there are around 500 known species of air plants out there.
How long do air plants live?
Not all types of air plants are the same.
Some last for a few days to weeks, months and some have a very long lifespan.
At an average, the lifespan of air plants is said to be in between 2-4-years.
Why are air plants so expensive?
There are two main reasons as to why air plants are so expensive.
One, it takes a lot of years before a plant could sprout from the seed.
Where do you put air plants?
You may make woods at your backyard or home gardens or wherever you plan to place your air plant.
Make it seem as if they are in the forest, hugging trees and the like.
Helping them to feel at home can be good in their development too.
Do air plants grow bigger?
The size of an air plant differs depending on its pop in and specie.
Some air plants grow bigger, and some are small throughout their lifetime.
In air plants grown as offset, these tend to grow smaller but is grows a little faster.
Conclusion
Growing air plants is easy.
Unlike other plants, it only requires lesser care as it only needs sunlight and proper ventilation.
Air plants are a catch since they provide beautiful bright flowers that lightens the mood of a home.
