Air Plants - Fun and Easy to Care For

Looking for something interesting and unusual to stock? Air plants are perfect for children who want to spend their pocket money on something small and if it’s something that they themselves find fascinating, then even better.  

What is an air plant?  

Air plants are in the Bromeliad family, native to the tropical Americas, where they live on trees, rocks or any hard surface. They absorb nutrients and water from the air, not through soil so they have little or no root systems hence their ability to seemingly survive on practically nothing. 

What are the most popular air plants? 

Tillandsia (Tillandsia cyanea) 

Common Name: Pink Quill   

The baby of the Bromeliad family, this delicate plant has a solid, flat flower head comprising of tightly packed pink bracts which produce tiny purple-blue flowers down each side. Neat, compact, colourful it is very easy to care for. 

Xerographica (Tillandsia xerographica)  

These amazing greenish silver plants are capable of growing up to 1m in diameter in their native central American habitat. Their sculptural rosettes produce red and purple flowers which can last for months. Popular with floral designers for their longevity and versatility they are ideal plants for indoor gravel gardens.  

Where to display air plants in the shop. 

Look for air plants which are already in small jars or attached to pebbles or pieces of wood which make excellent impulse buys. Display these by the till or doorway, remembering to protect them from cold draughts. Xerographica look impressive in goldfish bowls or even suspended in a window display, where they just need to be misted every two to three days.  

Where is the best place in the home for an air plant?  

As they like warmth and high humidity, these plants are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. They can also be displayed inside glass terrariums where a level of humidity is guaranteed. 

How to care for an air plant: 

• Temperature range: Warm to hot, between 15-24°C. 

• Watering: Mist frequently, but don’t soak it, and avoid getting any flowers wet.  

• Light: Bright, but away from direct sunshine. 

• Feeding: Monthly, by adding liquid feed when misting. 

Need to know: Once it has flowered, the parent plant will die, but new plantlets will form to replace it.  

Troubleshooting:  

• No flowers? Not enough light. 

• Brown tips on leaves? Air is too dry, increase misting.  

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Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over Thirty years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.