Air Plant – Tillandsia Ionantha Red – Large

Botanical name: Tillandsia

As the name implies, air plants absorb nutrients and water from the air through scales on their leaves. Because they don’t need dirt, you can put them in creative places, such as on window hangings, terrariums and even magnets on your fridge! In their natural habitat — the forests, mountains and deserts of South and Central America — air plants are epiphytic (growing on other plants without harming them), and emerge from the crooks and branches of trees. They’re almost zero-maintenance, but a little care will help them live their  best lives.

Water: Watering an air plant is the trickiest piece of the air plant care puzzle. 

Sunlight: Bright, Indirect light is best.T he higher the humidity of the air the higher light will be tolerated

Food:  Feed your plants once a month by adding fertilizer to the water mix. Use a bromeliad mix but don’t overdo it — plants can burn from too much fertilizer.

Placement: A sunny bathroom makes a happy home for an air plant, because the humidity from your shower will take care of most plant misting for you. Rooms with southern or eastern facing windows are ideal. Rooms with north-facing windows work well as long as the plant is placed close to the window. Western light tends to come late in the day, and can be very hot and intense. Careful – you don’t want to fry your air plant!

Pets: Safe!