Photo: Agnes Monkelbaan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Air Plant
Tillandsia ionantha
Grows with no soil at all — just perch it on wood or stone. Must dry out fully between mists, so open only.
- Terrarium type
- Open
- Terrarium size
- Small
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Care level
- Easy
- Growth habit
- Epiphyte
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic to pets
Buy a live Air Plant
In stock at Lively Root, shipped across the US as a healthy potted plant.
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Growing Air Plant in a terrarium
Where to place it
Perch it on wood or stone with no soil at all, in a bright-indirect spot in an open terrarium. It needs air movement to dry out between mistings.
Watering & humidity
Mist it thoroughly a few times a week, or soak it briefly, then let it dry out fully — trapped water at the base is fatal. Rainwater or distilled water is best.
Watch out for
It must dry completely between waterings, so never in a sealed vessel. A soft, browning base means water has been sitting in the crown and rotting it.
Reference: Tillandsia ionantha on Wikipedia.
Air Plant FAQ
Can Air Plant grow in a closed terrarium?+
No. Air Plant (Tillandsia ionantha) needs airflow and drier air between waterings, so a sealed, humid jar will cause it to rot. Grow it in an open terrarium instead.
Can Air Plant grow in an open terrarium?+
Yes. Air Plant (Tillandsia ionantha) is well suited to an open, unsealed terrarium where air moves freely and excess moisture can escape — exactly the conditions it prefers.
What size terrarium does Air Plant need?+
Air Plant suits a small terrarium — jars & bottles. It has a epiphyte growth habit, so plan its position with that in mind and trim or divide it if it starts to outgrow the glass.
Is Air Plant easy to care for?+
Air Plant is rated easy to care for in a terrarium. Grows with no soil at all — just perch it on wood or stone. Must dry out fully between mists, so open only. It must dry completely between waterings, so never in a sealed vessel. A soft, browning base means water has been sitting in the crown and rotting it.
How much light does Air Plant need?+
Air Plant does best in bright indirect light. Keep it out of direct sun, which magnifies through glass and scorches leaves. Perch it on wood or stone with no soil at all, in a bright-indirect spot in an open terrarium. It needs air movement to dry out between mistings.
Is Air Plant safe for cats and dogs?+
Air plant (Tillandsia ionantha) is non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA — though cats do enjoy batting them off their perch.
