Tillandsia

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Spanish moss is a rootless epiphyte that absorbs all its water and nutrients from the air through its silver-grey scales, draping from branches across a broad warm-temperate to tropical range. It takes no soil; mist or briefly soak the strands, then let them dry out fully within a few hours, and water again when they feel dry and the colour dulls toward grey. Good airflow is essential — strands left damp without drying will rot.

Tillandsia recurvata

Ballmoss

Tillandsia recurvata is a rootless epiphyte from northeastern Brazil that clings to bark and twigs rather than sitting in soil, absorbing moisture through its leaves. Mist or briefly soak it, then let it dry fully in moving air; water again when the leaves feel dry and the plant is light, never leaving water pooled in the rosette where it will rot. Give it a bright spot out of harsh direct sun and good airflow.

Tillandsia ionantha

Blushing Bride

A small epiphytic air plant from Central American and Mexican forests and rock faces, it takes water through its leaves rather than roots and rots if left sitting wet. Soak or mist it, then let it dry fully in good airflow within a few hours; water again when the leaves feel dry and slightly soft to the touch. It wants bright, indirect light and never standing water at its base.

Tillandsia utriculata

Spreading Airplant

Tillandsia utriculata is an epiphytic bromeliad from the warm Caribbean and Central American tropics, growing rootless on bark and branches rather than in soil. It takes water through its leaves, so mist or soak it, then let it dry fully with good airflow — water again when the leaves feel dry and the plant has completely dried out, never while still damp. Give it bright indirect light and avoid letting water sit trapped in the leaf base, which invites rot.

Tillandsia aeranthos

Air Plant

Tillandsia aeranthos is an air plant native to subtropical South America, growing epiphytically or on rock with no soil and roots that mainly anchor rather than feed. Mist or soak it, then let it dry fully in good airflow before watering again — water when the leaves feel dry and the plant has had time to drain, never while it sits damp at the base, which causes rot. Give it a bright spot out of harsh direct midday sun.

Tillandsia bergeri

Berger's Air Plant

Tillandsia bergeri is an epiphytic air plant from coastal regions of northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil, taking water and nutrients through its leaves rather than roots. It wants bright indirect light and steady airflow; mist or soak it, then let it dry fully within a few hours, since standing water trapped at its base will rot the plant. Water again when the leaves feel dry and look slightly curled or dulled rather than on a fixed schedule.