If you are looking for houseplants that do not take up a lot of space and are easy to grow,
air plants might be the right choice. There are more than 500 different species of air plants.
Officially they are known as Tillandsia. These plants are native to places in North and
South America that support year-round plant growth. Air plants belong to the same family as
the pineapple. Instead of soil these plants attach themselves to things like trees,
rocks and buildings. They do not cause problems for the objects they grow on.
Air plants do not have roots. They depend on specialized cells called trichomes to permit
their leaves to take in water and nutrients. Associated Press gardening writer Jessica
DeMiano has experimented with air plants and offers these guidelines for people wanting to
grow them. Air plants require bright indirect light. So they should be placed near an east
or west facing window but not directly in front of it. Direct sunlight can burn the plant's leaves.
In homes with average humidity levels put air plants in a bowl of room temperature water
once a week for 30 to 60 minutes. In homes with drier air this process can be repeated when needed.
Lightly shake the plants to remove extra water then place them upside down on a cloth to dry
for several hours. This step is necessary to prevent water from collecting on the plant's
leaves which can cause damage. If using chlorinated water it is best to let the
liquid sit for 12 to 24 hours to permit the chemical to dissipate before watering plants.
Air plants are especially sensitive to chlorine. Growers should feed their air plants with any
all-purpose houseplant bromeliad or orchid fertilizer. The substance should be added to
the soaking water monthly to provide added nutrients. Use about half the amount suggested
by the fertilizer manufacturer. Air plants bloom only once. The resulting pink, coral, purple,
or white flowers are a signal that the plants are nearing death. However, air plants produce
offshoots known as pups. These can be separated into new plants once they grow to about one third
the size of the parent. Notable air plants include Spanish moss which can be found hanging
from large trees in tropical or subtropical areas. In the home Spanish moss is grown in a humid
environment such as a bathroom. Another kind is Tillandsia ionatha which is also known as the
sky plant. It is a shaggy looking plant with green bracts. Bracts are leaf-like structures
that grow from the area just beneath a flower. The tops of bracts can turn pink or purple before
flowering. Tillandsia caputmeduce is named for its similarity to the snake-haired head of medusa
from Greek mythology. The plant is popular because of its long wavy leaves that grow upward from a
fat round base. Perhaps the most unusual species of Tillandsia is the xerographic air plant.
This kind is known as the king of air plants. It can grow up to about one half meter.
The plant's long thin silver leaves curl downward to produce a round shape that sets it apart from
other air plants. You can place air plants in just about any spot that provides the required sunlight
and good air flow. Glass containers or terrariums are popular choices. But growers can also put
air plants inside seashells or on rocks. One could even create a floating Tillandsia garden by hanging
several plants from fishing line. The plants can also be attached to natural wood pieces with wire
or glue. Some choose to grow them inside hanging frames. When choosing placement possibilities,
the main thing to keep in mind is to make sure you are fully meeting all the plant's needs. I'm Brian Lynn.