Today, air plants stand as one of the most sought-after indoor plant species. One fun fact about this flowering perennial is that they can be found in hundreds of varieties in an array of unique shapes and beautiful colors.
Another fantastic feature of the air plant is its sturdiness. These set of plants are epiphytes meaning that they do not need soil to grow. They live off moisture from the air and develop naturally, growing off rocks, tree branches, or other plants.
You really cannot get any better low-maintenance plant than this. Below, we'll outline some unique and decorative air plants you can choose from.
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Jump to:
- Unique And Decorative Air Plants
- 1. Tillandsia Maxima
- 2. Tillandsia Cyanea
- 3. Tillandsia Abdita
- 4. Tillandsia Ionanta
- 5. Tillandsia usneoides
- 6. Tillandsia kolbii
- 7. Tillandsia Stricta
- 8. Tillandsia brachycaulos
- 9. Tillandsia Didisticha
- 10. Tillandsia tenuifolia
- 11. Tillandsia funckiana
- 12. Tillandsia Fasciculata
- 13. Tillandsia gardneri
- 14. Tillandsia Chiapensis
- 15. Tillandsia tectorum
- 16. Tillandsia loliacea
- 17. Tillandsia Circinata
- 18. Tillandsia Xerographica
- 19. Tillandsia Aeranthos
- 20. Tillandsia caput-medusae
- Bonus Pick
- 21. Tillandsia Cotton candy
- How To Decorate With Air Plants
- How To Water Air Plants
- Final Word
Unique And Decorative Air Plants
Air plants, also known as tillandsia, are a popular type of houseplant. They abound in so many styles and varieties to choose from.
We'll outline below some notable picks of ours of this fantastic plant.
1. Tillandsia Maxima
Native to Mexico, the Tillandsia Maxima is a sun-loving plant. When they bloom, they spot diverse purple leaves that decorate the coral-colored foliage.
This plant enjoys filtered sunlight to grow well. Under the right conditions, they can grow as tall as 6 inches. The Tillandsia Maxima will look stunning in terrariums.
2. Tillandsia Cyanea
The Tillandsia Cyanea is unique and different from other air plants because it can thrive in or without soil. They spot bright pink bracts from the middle, resembling a feather quill. This is precisely how it got its nickname; pink quill.
These plants require very minimal care. Have them placed under bright natural light, and they will bloom consistently.
3. Tillandsia Abdita
Tillandsia Abdita takes the crown as the winner of the most colorful air plant ever. The leaves have got hues of red and green, and then there's the purple bloom that's experienced from time to time, brightening up the space in a unique way.
4. Tillandsia Ionanta
The ionantha is a popular bromeliad with very short stems, capable of faring very well in a tropical climate. Also known as the sky plant, it displays some bright blooms during its very last days, improving its overall appearance with glossy greenish-silver foliage.
5. Tillandsia usneoides
This air plant is unique because, unlike other air plants, its leaves tilt downwards and not upwards. Another unique feature is their subtle fragrance in the atmosphere when they bloom.
This plant, which is also known as Spanish moss by some people, is one air plant you totally should consider growing.
6. Tillandsia kolbii
An eye-catching plant anytime, any day. This straight and upright air plant is loved for its neat and lovely outlook.
With this fantastic air plant, you only need to concern yourself with shielding it from the frost, and it will go on thriving quickly. Furthermore, you can look even more attractive when you put it amid colorful pebbles.
7. Tillandsia Stricta
We cannot talk about these air plants without mentioning how sturdy they are. You find them grow effortlessly even in the strangest of places; rocks, wood, just about anywhere.
There's also their ability to adapt to different climates and climate conditions of growth completely. They do under bright direct light as well as indirect light. What's more? They offer great aesthetics with their cute pink leaves.
8. Tillandsia brachycaulos
You will enjoy this plant when you put the necessary factors in place for it to grow right; the right temperature, which is between 50 - 90°F, and making sure it stays shielded from frost.
When it is just about to bloom, the plant begins to look like one big red flower and then turns an exquisite shade of purple during the actual flowering.
9. Tillandsia Didisticha
One of the few air plant varieties that grow big. The Didisticha can attain a height of 1ft or even more. Furthermore, the beautiful flower it possesses is yet another reason to love this excellent plant.
10. Tillandsia tenuifolia
Are you fond of the color pink? If you are, you should consider this awesome air plant. The spikes bear a spectacular and uncommon shade of pink with bluish-purple flowers contrasting beautifully with them.
11. Tillandsia funckiana
Adored by many for its quill-like shaped foliage, this plant will look amazing when grown on creative air plant holders. They make your space come alive with their unique orange flowers at the top.
12. Tillandsia Fasciculata
Popularly called the giant air plant because of its ability to attain a height of about 12 inches. This large-sized flower is characterized by a tri-colored flower bract springing out from the center.
13. Tillandsia gardneri
A late spring bloomer that blesses our eyes with gorgeous pink flowers, the gardneri is a perfect example of a low-maintenance airplant.
Originating from three different countries, Venezuela, Brazil, and Columbia, this remarkable plant can attain a mature size of about 12 inches.
14. Tillandsia Chiapensis
Due to the overwhelming presence of trichomes, the Chiapensis prefers and does fare better under partial sun conditions.
We love its production of pink flowers on pink spikes found on the blushing foliage. Another edge this plant has is that it can be planted indoors or outdoors.
15. Tillandsia tectorum
The trick to prolonging the lifespan of this plant is to have it kept close to a reliable source of sunlight. The tectorum has fuzzy trichomes and, as such, would look perfect on driftwood.
16. Tillandsia loliacea
You wonder why you mostly see a cluster of loliaceas in open terrariums; it is because they are very tiny variants of air plants with equally little but captivating yellow flowers at the top. Loliaceas do not grow any more than 3 inches.
17. Tillandsia Circinata
A vital feature of this air plant is its signature yellow bloom, capable of lighting up anywhere. It can be placed in a vase or set on a woodblock.
18. Tillandsia Xerographica
Beautify your office space or even home with this quite impressive air plant. Have them planted in bowls or cups, and place them on your desk or coffee table.
The more they grow, the more spherical they look. Do ensure to shake off excess water anytime you soak or mist.
19. Tillandsia Aeranthos
Key features of this plant are its blue and pink flowers and spiky leaves. The amaranthus is easy to maintain. Just provide it with bright but indirect sunlight and watch them thrive away, growing up to 9 inches in height.
20. Tillandsia caput-medusae
Remember the mythical creature; Medusa? This flower's shape looks somewhat like the head. The only difference is that they do not have snakes growing out of them. The caput-medusae bears very delightful red or blue flowers.
Bonus Pick
21. Tillandsia Cotton candy
This plant has got candy-like cotton flowers hence, the name cotton candy. One striking feature of this plant is the fascinating way the silvery green leaves change color and skillfully recurve as the plant grows. The cotton candy can be exposed to direct morning sunlight.
How To Decorate With Air Plants
It would help if you got your creative juice flowing to make the best of decorating your space with air plants. It's always a fun exercise anyway, as air plants are more versatile than houseplants. Their versatility is attributed to the fact that they epiphytes and do not need a whole pot of soil to survive.
What this implies is that they can be moved to anywhere that they can get a sufficient amount of sunlight. Your coffee table, center table, bookshelf, or anywhere you decide needs some brightening.
There are certain factors that you need to consider when incorporating air plants into your home decor. You need to consider what air plant fits the purpose, the right kind of display, and the best site to display them.
It is essential to know the correct air plant to use in decorating your space. This is because not all varieties fare well under hot and dry conditions.
Even though Tillandsia's are naturally low-maintenance plants, it is right to select the ones that suit the climate conditions of your region, as they'll be way easier to care for. This will be better than fussing over, providing extra moisture for humid-loving air plants placed under dry conditions.
One helpful tip about air plants that suit dry, hot climates is to assess their leaves. Thick leaves with a silvery sheen will do well in hot climates.
Knowing the air plant that fits the purpose of lighting up a particular spot in your space is yet another critical factor.
Air plants are tiny, and others are significant and tall. Small dwarfish air plants look fantastic on office tables or coffee tables, while the large ones can either be hung and allowed to creep or placed beside shelves.
With the various fancy and smart display objects, we currently have, displaying your air plants would not be much of a problem. We have different kinds of terrariums and globe planters to choose from.
Air plants can be hinged on walls or hung close to windows. Wherever you choose to display them, ensure that they do not get too much direct sunlight to prevent them from getting sunburned.
Air plants are mainly from the rainforest and, as such, are used to enjoying plenty of shade. An overdose of direct sunlight is not a condition they will appreciate.
How To Water Air Plants
Air plants can be kept from being dehydrated by regular misting. You can get this done with the use of a spray bottle.
An alternative method includes soaking it in a water bowl for about two hours at least twice a week. Ensure you shake thoroughly to get excess water out and leave it to dry for some time.
Final Word
Tillandsia, also known as air plants, are unique and perfect for decorating your space. They transform your space, make it brighter with their burst of color, and are exquisite with their unique appearance.
Are you considering lighting up your space with some air plants? Our top 20 picks will give you an idea of what to expect from each.
