At school we were taught that all plants need soil, water and air, but this is not entirely true, since there is a curious plant that does not need soil. Do you know the tillandsia or air plant?
The Tillandsias , despite their ordinary appearance, are not common plants. They have a peculiarity that distinguishes them, and that is that They can live off the ground . It is a plant that normally belongs to the genus of epiphytes (which are those plants that grow on another plant using it only as a support, but do not parasitize it) and that we can find in very diverse ecosystems, such as deserts, forests and mountains, with more of 650 recognized species. Also called "carnations of the air", their appearance is similar to that of a pineapple duster, whose color varies from green to gray; and although they are grown more for their appearance than for their flower, their color is also an attraction for many.
Tillandsias make use of their roots to grow on other plants and this is their only function, since generally, plants also use them to extract nutrients from the substrate in which they grow, but not tillandsias. How are they fed then? taking water and nutrients literally from the air . Who said you couldn't "live on air"?
This is possible because their water and nutrient needs are minimal. Its leaves are covered by trichomes, which are appendages of the epidermis of plants capable of capturing moisture droplets, and in this way absorbing water and nutrients found in the environment. But not only this, they are also responsible for regulating temperature, protecting against insects and many other functions necessary for the plant; so they are of vital importance for it.
As you can see, the needs of the tillandsias are very scarce, so They need little care , and this, together with its exotic and attractive appearance, makes the tillandsia a plant Perfect to be used as an indoor plant . The aesthetic combinations that we can achieve with them are infinite, since there are many different types and we can present them in numerous ways: attached to pieces of wood or logs, on pieces of bark or spruce, or any other type of support that we imagine.
As for reproduction, it can be in two ways, by pollination and seed production or by sprouts, the latter being the most widespread, as it is simpler. Usually after flowering, shoots are born on the stem of the mother plant, which have their own roots and can be carefully separated and cultivated separately, since they take root easily.
So you know. Giving a touch of color to your home is easy and simple. We invite you to enjoy tillandsias in all their varieties.