Air Plant Blog

Where to Buy Air Plants - 4 Things To Know Before You Buy

Posted on February 09, 2015 by Les Stein

While Air Plants have become extremely popular for decorating and hobbies, there are relatively few local places to actually buy Air Plants. Finding a good, reliable supplier requires some research. There are many online resources to buy air plants, but you’ll first need to find a good resource to learn about and investigate the various varieties available.

Since there are over 550 types known, your initial task is find a few good resources that have quality pictures and information on the many types air plants available. Once you find a few resources, you need to then narrow down your selection by those that fit into your project or collection, then narrow that search by size, price and availability.

So now you think you know what you want, the next challenge is where can you actually buy Air Plants? If you are not a wholesale buyer like most of us, then unfortunately, few local resources exist that will sell to the hobbyist or collector. A good place to start is your local Farmers Markets and Craft Fairs. Sometimes they have Air Plants vendors in attendance, but most aren’t able to provide a large variety of Air Plant species for sale at their booth. And if it’s winter where you live… forget about it. Since floral shops and garden centers typically don’t inventory Air Plants, your next best option is the Internet.

Sites like ETSY have numerous sellers that carry air plants. While most are smaller shops, you’ll still be able to learn about Air Plants, see how others are using them and choose some of the varieties that best fit into your projects. There are also a few larger sellers on ETSY, and there are several larger companies with their own online stores. Most make purchasing very easy and safe. Several of the larger shops offer nice Variety Packs. These are good places to start to buy your Air Plants and build your collection. Shop wisely, prices vary considerably, and so do plant size and quality.

If you live in a Freeze Zone when ordering, be sure the supplier offers a Winter Heat Pack to protect you plants during cold weather shipping.

Posted in air fern, air plants, buy air plants, where to buy air plants

8 Air Plants Facts You Might Not of Known

Posted on February 07, 2015 by Les Stein

Air Plant or Air Fern is the common name for the Tillandsia family, which belong to the diverse Bromeliad family. Air Plants actually get all the nutrients and water they need to survive from the air, hence the name Air Plants.

 Air Plants require no soil. Instead, they are epiphytes in nature, meaning they attach themselves to trees, rocks, fences, telephone wires and whatever other structures are available, but do not rely on their host for survival. They attach themselves by a cluster of long, tough root-like arms growing from the base of the plant.

 Air Plants are native to the West Indies, Mexico, and much of Central America, south to Colombia, eastern Brazil and Argentina. They are also grown and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical states, from California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. 

 There are well over 550 different varieties of air plants. While each variety is similar in the way they grow and reproduce, the variety among species is phenomenal. When Tillandsias begin to flower, the uppermost leaves become bright red and most produce tubular flowers with bright violet petals that are absolutely gorgeous.

 After flowering, most plants produce offsets, called Pups, around its base. Mature plants will eventually produce many Pups and therefore continue the life cycle. If left to grow together, the Pups grow into beautiful Air Plant clusters.

 Most Tillandsias require bright, diffused sunlight and will benefit from misting several times per week, as well as a good soaking every other week. Placing the entire plant into a tub of water from several minutes to several hours to fully benefit from the hydration. Bottled water works well, as does tap water that has sat overnight so the chemicals have time to evaporate. Never use distilled water, it will kill your air plants. When you remove your plants from the soaking bowl, shake off any excess water and let the plant air dry before returning it to its home. Be careful to not soak the delicate flowers, as they will dissolve.

 With proper care and a friendly environment, your Air Plants will live and reproduce for many years.

Posted in air fern, air plant care, air plant tillandsia, air plants, how to care for air plants, how to water air plants, tillandsia air plant

Air Plants, Unique Valentines Day Gifts That “Keep On Giving"

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Josh Stein

It’s that time of year again. Time to tell that someone special how much you really care. So what’s it going to be this year? Another flower arrangement, more roses or how about some candy… hope not.

This year give a unique gift that actually keeps on giving. One that will provide years of enjoyment… an exotic air plant display from Plantstr. Choose from our various Terrarium Globes Kits, our simplistic Zen Collection, our Exotica Wood Collection or from our Treasures of the Sea. Each of our collections are perfectly matched to fit into any décor, from Traditional and Art Deco to Zen and Minimalist, we make buying unique air plant gifts easy.

Our 6” Hanging Terrarium Globe Kits are one of our most popular gift items. Each of our Kits come complete with everything needed to create your very own custom designed terrarium. Unlike many of the smaller globes offered, our large 6” glass terrariums have a wide opening, making it very easy to assemble and maintain your air plants. You can use everything we send, or add some of your own personal touches, Building our kits is only ½ the fun, ­ the other ½ is watching your air plants grow and bloom for years to come.

Be sure to place your order no later than February 5^th to ensure delivery before Valentine’s Day.

PLEASE NOTE: During the winter months, we highly recommend purchasing a Heat Pack for shipping. If your gift is going to a Freeze Zone, this is the best $4.50 insurance you can buy to protect your plants from freezing. While we do our best to insure arrival of healthy plants by using USPO 2-3 Day Priority Mail, we have no control over Postal delivery schedules or temperature.

How to water Air Plants

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Josh Stein

Although air plants don’t have the typical roots that supply nutrients as most plants do, and therefore require no soil, they still need water to survive. In the wild, air plants are able to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, but when moved indoors, there is not enough moisture to keep them healthy.

Here is an easy 2-step water regimen that will keep your air plants healthy:

1) Fill a fine mister with either bottled water or tap water. If you use tap water, let the water sit overnight in an open container so that all the chemicals have time to evaporate.

Mist your plants about twice a week to start. If your home is extremely dry, mist more often. Don’t be timid, a good mist is healthy. You can either remove them from their container, or just mist them in place. Either way, a fine mist twice a week usually works fine for basic maintenance. 

2) One a month, give your air plants an opportunity to completely rehydrate. To do this, carefully remove your plants (if possible) from the container and place then into a soaking bath for about ½ hour. Remove your plants, shake off the excess water and then let them dry before placing them back into their container. Be sure to use bottled or aged tap water. Never use distilled water. It will kill your plants.

Be sure to water or soak your plants in the morning or early afternoon so they have time to completely dry. If placed into a contained wet, your plants may rot from the bottom and die.

If your plants are flowering, be careful to keep the blooms dry. Watering the flowers will shorten the bloom life.

Posted in How to Care for your Air Plant, Misters, Watering Air Plants

AIR PLANT REVIEW – 5 Reasons Why Air Plants Make Wonderful Gifts

Posted on December 03, 2014 by Les Stein

Looking for Holiday Gifts that are truly unique, exotic and really cool? Give a gift that keeps on giving.

Air Plants are colorful, easy to care for, exotic and affordable. Due to the many positive attributes of Air Plants, they are becoming more and more popular, making them perfect for urban setting, including apartments, homes, offices, restaurants and store displays.

1)  Air Plants Are Clean – requires no soil

Because Tillandsia are epiphytes, meaning they grow as a host, they require absolutely no soil to survive. The roots, or fingers act only as anchors to attach themselves to their host. Air Plants are found growing on trees, rocks, fences, power lines and numerous other objects. They are able to absorb all the water and nutrients they need to survive directly from the air and through their leaves.

2)   Air Plants Are Easy To Care For – just mist 2x week

Most air plants do well with a good misting every few days, plus a good soak at least once a month. Mist your plants with 2-3 sprays for small globes, more if in a larger open container. If the humidity is very low in your home, misting more often may be necessary for healthy, thriving plants.

3)  Air Plants Are Hardy – adaptable to most environments

Air plants are very hardy and will tolerate temperatures ranging from 45º to 100º Fahrenheit. If you live up north and frost is approaching, it’s time to move your plants indoors. Inside, Air Plants need to be near a window to receive adequate, filtered light – avoid direct sun, especially if your plants are in a globe.

4)  Air Plants Clean The Air – act as natural air filters

Another very interesting attribute about Air Plants is that they clean the air and act as a natural air filter. In fact, a few years ago, there was a study that showed that the Tillandsias can clean the air and remove more airborne particles than any other plant on earth.

5)  Air Plants Have Magnificent Blooms – bursting with color

When a Tillandsia begins to flower, the uppermost leaves start to turn a bright red, and depending on variety, produce various types of flowers, ranging from red, pink, purple and yellow tubular flowers with bright violet petals. Flowering Tillandsias are absolutely gorgeous. 

With proper care and a friendly environment, Tillandsias will live and reproduce for many years. They truly provide a gift that keeps on giving!

Need more information on where to buy air plants, please read our Blogs or visit Buy Air Plants Online.

Happy Air Planting!

Your friends @ Plantstr

AIR PLANT REVIEW – The Extraterrestrial Bulbosa Belize

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Les Stein

The Bulbosa Belize is one of my favorite Tillandsia, or Air Plants. It is a very exotic and distinctive variety that shares little similarity in appearance to other air plants. The Bulbosa is native to the West Indies, southern Mexico, and much of Central America, south to Colombia and eastern Brazil. It typically grows in dense masses in forests on trees and in mangrove thickets along the coast, as well as fences, posts, cliffs and rocks. Its very adaptable and found at elevations from sea level to 5,000 feet.

Its base is a large bulbous mass, producing narrow, oddly twisted and curly leaves, giving this variety an extraterrestrial appearance. When the Bulbosa begins to flower, the uppermost leaves become bright red and produce tubular flowers with bright violet petals. The flowering Bulbosa is absolutely gorgeous.

After flowering, each plant will produce offsets, called Pups around its base. Mature plants will eventually produce many Pups and continue the life cycle. If left to grow together, the Pups will produce a beautiful Bulbosa cluster.

This plant will benefit from frequent misting, especially during the warmer months when it produces most of its annual growth. Most Tillandsia, including the Bulbosa, require bright, diffused sunlight and will benefit from misting several times per week, as well as a soaking bath every month. Click here for more information on Air Plant Care

Happy Air Planting –

Your Team @ Plantstr

AIR PLANT REVIEW – The Tillandsia Air Plant Family

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Les Stein

Tillandsias, commonly called Air Plants, belong to the Bromeliad family and are native to the West Indies, Mexico, and much of Central America, south to Colombia, eastern Brazil and Argentina. They are also grown and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical states, from California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. 

There are well over 550 different varieties of air plants. While each variety is similar in the way they grow and reproduce, the variety among species is phenomenal. When Tillandsia begin to flower, the uppermost leaves become bright red and most produce tubular flowers with bright violet petals that are absolutely gorgeous.

After flowering, most plants produce offsets, called Pups, around its base. Mature plants will eventually produce many Pups and therefore continue the life cycle. If left to grow together, the Pups grow into beautiful Air Plant clusters.

Most Tillandsias require bright, diffused sunlight and will benefit from misting several times per week, as well as a good soaking every other week. Placing the entire plant into a tub of water from several minutes to several hours to fully benefit from the hydration. Bottled water works well, as does tap water that has sat overnight so the chemicals have time to evaporate. Never use distilled water, it will kill your air plants. When you remove your plants from the soaking bowl, shake off any excess water and let the plant air dry before returning it to its home. Be careful to not soak the delicate flowers, as they will dissolve.

Most growers suggest fertilizing Tillandsias about once every month or two by mixing a bit of water-soluble fertilizer into its soaking water. Use a Bromeliad, or all-purpose fertilizer with a 10/10/10 or 20/20/20 ratio and diluted to about 1/4 the recommended strength.

With proper care and a friendly environment,  will live and reproduce for many years.

Happy Air Planting!

Your friends at Plantstr

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