Flower of the Air

Flower of the Air Care

Tillandsia aeranthos

What is the plant

Gorgeous and unusual Tillandsia aeranthos plant has won the hearts of many plant lovers worldwide. Its sturdy, long foliage and distinctive blooms made this plant a popular choice for indoor terrariums and outdoor space decorations.

Commonly known as Flower of the Air or Air Plant, Tillandsia aeranthos is an enchanting member of the Bromeliaceae family. This plant can survive without growing medium, provided it’s regularly misted. Native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, this plant feels best in warm and humid conditions. It’s foliage has a smooth texture and elongated shape, becoming pointed towards the tip. It’s firm and sturdy to the touch and typically reaches 6-12 in (15-30 cm) long. The leaves' color can vary from silver-grey to light green, depending on the environment. The plant produces pink multi-petalled blooms from the center of the rosette. The inflorescences are pink in color, followed by deep violet three-petalled flowers.

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Lighting

Shade

Temperature

14°C - 22°C

Hardiness zone

9 - 11

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Air Plants can survive on misting only. A good practice is to put them in a container filled with water for 20 min twice a week when the weather is hot and reduce moistening to once every 10 days during mild weather conditions.
Pruning
Prune the plant occasionally. Remove spent blooms after the blooming period is over. If the brown leaf tips appear as a result of insufficient watering, trim them off with sharp, sterile scissors. Remove any dried or damaged foliage at the base to maintain the plant’s general appearance.
Fertilizer
Once a year fertilizing is more than enough for this plant. Dilute a specifically combined for Bromeliad plants fertilizer with 2-1-3 NPK ratio and mist the plant.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
It’s best to keep Tillandsia aeranthos in a bright place with indirect light. If the plant is exposed to direct sunlight, it should last no longer than 20 min daily.
Soil
It’s not recommended to plant Flower of the Air in a regular potting mix. This greenie can feel comfortable without soil. Alternatively, put Tillandsia aeranthos in a pot filled with pebbles.
Propagation
Offshoots are the quickest and easiest way to propagate Air Plant. Once they reach about one-third part of a mature plant, pinch them off. A new greenie needs bright indirect light and regular misting to establish itself as an independent plant.

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Temperature
Flower of the Air feels best in 59-90°F (15-32°C) temperature range. It’s important to keep the plant away from droughts and temperature fluctuations.
Container
Tillandsia aeranthos is not a picky plant when it comes to a container. It can tolerate most pot types and feels comfortable in containers with and without drainage holes. The material of the pot doesn’t make a big difference as well.
Fun fact
The plant’s foliage coloring depends on the conditions Tillandsia is living in. Silver-grey foliage shade emerges when the plant is growing under harsh sunlight, helping it to regulate moisture. The deep green coloring is a result of more favorable conditions.

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Popularity
472 people already have this plant 48 people have added this plant to their wishlists

Common pests
Mealybugs and scales are the most frequent culprits of Flower of the Air. They are attracted by the plant’s smooth leaf coating and feed on its sap, causing stunted growth. If you spot only signs of pests’ presence, treat the plant with an insecticide or neem oil.
Frequent diseases
Tillandsia aeranthos can fall victim to rot caused by inappropriate watering and light conditions. If you notice any browning foliage at the base of the plant, treat it with a fungicide. Severe rot affection cannot be treated, so it’s important not to overwater the plant.
Botanist’s tips