Air Plants

Most air plants have long stiff leaves that form a rosette at the base. Air plants don't require any soil to grow in. Tiny scales on the leaves soak up water and nutrients from the air, and the roots serve as an anchoring device. Ideal conditions for air plants are bright, indirect light and the normal air temperatures of indoors. Mist often, perhaps every day. A little diluted fertilizer or manure tea will also be appreciated.

The family of plants known as bromeliads include plants that don't need soil to grow. Both sides of Tillandsia's leaves are covered with scales that often give the leaf surface a silvery cast. These scales take in water and nutrients from the atmosphere, so the leaves function more like roots, and the roots serve primarily as anchors.

The most popular way to grow air plants indoors is to fasten them to a piece of driftwood. In addition to the plants and wood, you'll need some wire and maybe a little sphagnum moss or Spanish moss. Wire the plants to the wood in an "artsy" way or try to mimic the look of a plant in its native tropical rain forest.

This group of bromeliads is easy to take care of, although that's not necessarily true of other members of the bromeliad family. For the most part, bright, indirect light is best, and normal indoor temperatures are fine. Air plants do need regular misting, as often as every day, or a thorough drenching in the sink or shower on occasion. A once-a-month blast of fertilizer will really perk them up, as will any liquid plant food that is diluted by at least half. Weak manure tea works well too.

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-407
•	Pruning 101
•	A Balanced Diet
•	Air Plants