Why Grow Air Plants in Sydney?

Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are a type of tropical plant that grow without soil. They have adapted to grow in the wild on other surfaces, like rocks, tree branches, or even telephone wires. There are several reasons why someone may choose to grow air plants:

Low maintenance: Air plants are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance. They only need to be misted or soaked in water occasionally, and do not require soil or a lot of sunlight.

Unique appearance: Air plants have a distinctive and unique appearance, with a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be used to create interesting and creative displays.

Versatility: Air plants can be grown in a variety of settings, including terrariums, on driftwood, or in a mounted display. They can be grown indoor or outdoor.

Clean air: Air plants are known for their ability to purify the air by removing toxins and pollutants, making them a great addition to indoor spaces.

Overall, air plants are a great option for those who want to add some greenery to their home or office without a lot of fuss, and appreciate the unique and natural beauty of these plants.

Tillandsia Stricta

Tillandsia stricta are evergreen, clump-forming, short-stemmed, epiphytic perennials with leaves arranged into thick rosettes. They are a compact species to about 10cm (4 inch) across. 

There is a large number of variations that can be found in Tillandsia stricta plants: from soft leaved specimens to much harder, stiffer types and different coloured forms from light green leaves to silvery leaves and even verging on black. 

In early summer, they produce, when mature, bright red or bright rose bloom spikes with bright blue flowers. The spike is first held upright but then droops as it lengthens. The actual flowers are not long-lived, lasting for about a day at best, before it starts wilting, but the colourful bracts remain attractive for up to 10 weeks.

Habitat: Tillandsia stricta is native to Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina, growing either on both the sands of beach dunes and in trees in the foothills of the Atlantic Range. This means that this plant has adapted to lots of different climates and would have leaves to match this diversity.

Despite the fact Tillandsia stricta is typically an epiphyte, growing upon another plant to collect light, water and nutrients, it is not an parasite plant. These plants use their roots only to anchor upon their host and they  rely solely on leaves to absorb water and nutrients.

Tillandsia Stricta - Hard Leaf Form

More advanced information available about Tillandsia Stricta here

Tillandsia Ionantha | Popular Air Plant

The Ionantha subgenus of Tillandsia is endemic to Mexico, Costa Rica, and certain areas of South America.  It likes warmer, humid conditions but will do just fine in a dryer environment with regular misting.  There have been a large amount of Ionantha clones, hybrids, and cultivars created all with their own unique characteristics.  

Common Ionantha varieties include: 

Ionantha Ionantha, Ionantha Guatemala, Ionantha Mexican, Ionantha Rubra, Ionantha Fuego, Ionantha Peanut, Ionantha Victoriana, Ionantha Rosita, and more by the day as these popular plant is hybridised by delighted growers.

Tillandsia Ionantha species enjoy strong sunlight, so they should also be kept in an area that gets adequate light throughout the day(east/west facing windows are best).  

Soaking the plant once or twice a week depending on the environment is a common and successful method of hydrating, and regular misting as needed.  And don't forget, always water your air plants in the morning and make sure to shake off any excess water before setting them out to dry!

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Spanish Moss - Tillandsia Usneoides

Tillandsia Usneoides (Spanish Moss) is an epiphytic plant from the Bromeliad family that often grows upon larger trees in tropical and subtropical climates, native to much of Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Central America, South America, the Southern United States, West Indies and is also naturalised in Queensland (Australia)

Spanish moss like many Tillandsia is covered with trichomes (tiny gray scales), these trap water until the plant can absorb it. The plant’s tissues can hold more water than the plant needs, to keep it going through dry periods. When the tissues plump up after a rain, Spanish moss appears more green. As the water is used, it returns to a gray hue.

Buy Spanish Moss in Sydney

Flowering and Seeds:

Spanish Moss produces a beautiful but very small flower and shortly after can get pollenated and form a seed pod. These seeds are light with feathery appendages and much like a compact dandelion seed. This allows them to float through the air until they land on a good spot to grow: another tree or rock.

Tillandsia - All about the Air Plant

Tillandsia is a genus of around 650 species of evergreen, perennial flowering plants in the family Bromeliaceae, native to the forests, mountains and deserts of northern Mexico and south-eastern United States, Mesoamerica and the Caribbean to mid Argentina.

Some common types of Tillandsia include Ionantha (below)
ball moss ( T. recurvata )
and Spanish moss ( T. usneoides )



They are also commonly known as air plants because of their natural propensity to cling wherever conditions permit: telephone wires, tree branches, barks, bare rocks, etc. Their light seeds and a silky parachute facilitate this spread.

Most Tillandsia species are epiphytes – which translates to 'upon a plant'. Some are aerophytes, which have a minimal root system and grow on shifting desert soil. Due to their epiphytic way of life these plants will not grow in soil, but live on the branches of trees, in deserts and on other substrates that will not be saturated with water for very long.

How was the Tillandsia Named?

The genus Tillandsia was named by Carl Linnaeus after the Swedish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640–1693).

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