Probably due to Tillandsia’s common name – Air Plant, many of us . . . → Read More: Watering Tillandsia (a.k.a. Air Plant)]]> With its epiphytic characteristics, Tillandsia has earned its nickname, air plant. Instead of the roots, the plants absorb water directly through their leaves, and use their roots as wire-like anchors, hanging on trees and rocks without soil.

Underwatering and Overwatering Your Tillandsia

Probably due to Tillandsia’s common name – Air Plant, many of us tend to think that these plants need very little or no water, as living on air. Well… of course, this is not true. Just like all other plants, Tillandsias need water. Although it is amazing how Tillandsias can survive for long periods of drought, these plants need water to thrive and blossom. When water is scarce, Tillandsias will just stop growing and go dormant. And if the situation continues, Tillandsias will eventually die.

On the other hand, Tillandsias will also rot and die if the plants are left wet for too long.

Watering Tillandsias – How Much is the Right Amount?

Here are the quick guidelines for watering your Tillandsias.

• Water your Tillandsias 2-3 times per week, water more often in hot, dry environment, and less when it is cool or humid.
• A thorough soaking is required to sufficiently fill the cells of the plants.
• Give your Tillandsias enough light and air circulation to dry in no longer than 4 hours. Hence, I would suggest you to water your Tillandsias in the morning so for them to dry by nightfall.

I hadn’t watered my air plants for a long while already.  The look and touch of their leaves told me that I should water my plants soon.  So I threw them into the water and gave them a good soak.

And in just minutes,  my air plants look so beautiful and lively again!

Know Your Tillandsia

What I have just mentioned is only the basic rule of thumb for watering Tillandsias. The watering needs of Tillandsias depend greatly on the size and species of your plants, as well as the temperature and their surrounding environment. The best way to figure out how much to water your Tillandsias is by getting to know your plants. Touch and feel the leaves. After watering, the leaves of Tillandsias will feel stiff and full of water. And when they are in need of water, the leaves will feel soft to the touch and the plant will be lighter in color.

Underwatering can be notice by flaccid, wrinkled or rolled leaves. And for Tillandsias, it is better to underwater than to overwater.

Once you have the right system down that works in your given situation, watering your Tillandsias is a breeze.

Here is my tabletop garden – I Love Air Plants

Besides the following plants, which need to . . . → Read More: Suitable Plants for Indoor Gardening]]> Here is a list of the most common houseplants that are suitable for indoor gardening.  The houseplants in this list are mostly easy-to-grow, low maintenance, hardy plants that fit the busy lifestyle of us, the city gardeners.

The Exceptions – Houseplants That Need Full, Direct Sunlight

Besides the following plants, which need to grow in direct sunlight – full light, the houseplants in my list require low to moderate daylight, indirect sunlight, or diffused light.

• Codiaeum (Croton)
• Coleus
• Pelargonium (Geranium)
• Setcreasea purpurea (Purple heart)

Suggested Way of Using This Houseplant List

And as you notice, I have only put the scientific name, common name, and a photo of each houseplant in the list.  There are so much information on houseplants available online. Hence, I don’t think my extra words will make much difference.  However, I believe that you will find this list helpful, for I haven’t seen many extensive lists of houseplant with photos.

So, I would suggest you to first check out this list and find the houseplants that you are interested in.  Then, do a google search to learn more about the water needs, light requirements, care methods and such of the plants.

Cheers and have fun!

Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen)
Anthurium (Tailflower, Flamingo-Flower)
Aphelandra (Zebra plant)
Araucaria (Norfolk island pine)
Aspidistra (Cast iron plant)
Begonia
Bromeliads
The Bromeliads are a large family of plants, and one of the hardiest kind of house plants.  I have two Tillandsias (a.k.a. air plants) and have made the simple yet elegant tabletop garden – I Love Air Plants.
Caladium
Calathea (Peacock plant)
Ceropegia woodii (Rosary vine)
Chlorophytum (Spider plant)
Cissus antarctica (Kangaroo vine)
Codiaeum (Croton)
Coleus
Dieffenbachia (Dumb-cane)
Dracaena (Dragon plants)
Fatshedera
Fatsia japonica (Japanese aralia)
Ferns
Ficus
Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

I like Fittonia.  I have had my Fittonia planted in hydroculture, as well as used it as one of my “ingredients” for my tabletop garden – Bento Box.
Fuchsia
Helxine (Baby’s tears)
Hoya (Wax plant)
Impatiens (Patient Lucy, Busy-Lizzie, touch-me-not)
Maranta (Prayer plant)
Monstera (Swiss cheese plant)
Note: Monstera is often confused with the split-leaved philodendron, and is sometimes sold under the name Philodendron pertusum.
Palms
Pelargonium (Geranium)
Peperonia
Philodendron
Saintpaulia (African violet)
Sansevieria (Snake plant)
Schefflera (Umbrella tree)
Scindapus (Devil’s ivy, Pothos)
Setcreasea purpurea (Purple heart)
Nephthytis (Arrowhead vine)
Tradescantia and Zebrina (Wandering Jew)

I love air plants. Aside from their exotic look, these plants are also extremely low maintenance. My air plants are just like my easy-going friends, hanging around, bringing some life to my room, and keeping me good company.

Air plant (a.k.a. Tillandsia) is a member . . . → Read More: Tabletop Garden – I Love Air Plants]]>

I love air plants. Aside from their exotic look, these plants are also extremely low maintenance. My air plants are just like my easy-going friends, hanging around, bringing some life to my room, and keeping me good company.

Air Plants – Low Maintenance

Air plant (a.k.a. Tillandsia) is a member of the Bromeliad family.  Like other plants, air plants need water, and won’t thrive beautifully if we don’t water them regularly.  However, they can survive for long periods of drought.  It is just amazing how long they can hang in there with very little water.

In addition, air plants do not need planting or weeding.  Since air plants absorb moisture through pores in their leaves, they don’t need to be rooted in soil. This means no dirt involves!

Doesn’t this sound great to many of us – the busy, forgetful city gardeners?

Since I took apart my tabletop garden – Kung Hei Fat Chow and repotted my Yao Ming Echeverias, I had a table top in my sitting room, which I thought was too empty and lonely. At that point of time, I found nothing could come handier than my two air plants. By simply placing these two lovely air plants on top of some tree barks in a beautiful container, I already have had a tabletop garden of tropical splendor.

Care of Tabletop Garden – I Love Air Plants

Place the air plant garden in bright, indirect light and provide high humidity and excellent air circulation. Thoroughly wet your air plants 2-3 times per week, water more often in hot, dry environment, and less when it is cool or humid.

To learn more about watering your air plants, you can check out this post – Watering Tillandsia (a.k.a. Air Plant).