Air plant is a small, evergreen, epiphytic herbaceous perennial from Mexico and Central America. It is a member of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae). The species epithet means “violet flower” and describes the most common color of the flower of the wild-type species. Air plant is a popular bromeliad that is an epiphyte or lithophyte in nature, so it is well adapted to growing on various wood, ceramic, or glass mounts. They should not be planted in soil but can be placed in pots or mounted on objects. They require high humidity, and the silvery scales on the leaves are able to capture some moisture from the air. Nevertheless, they need regular, thorough watering. Be sure to gently shake any excess water from the leaves. Provide them with bright indirect lighting. They will live for several years and produce pups to become a clump. These can be removed to make a new plant if desired. Fertilize during the growing season with a dilute (half-strength or even less) liquid fertilizer. When the plant is getting ready to bloom the top leaves will turn bright red. There are many cultivars available that provide variable leaf or flower color. It is small and attractive and easy to grow houseplant or greenhouse subject. It can spend the summer months outdoors hanging from a tree or shady trellis, mimicking the way it grows in nature. Quick ID Grass-like leaves are green, entire, covered with silvery gray scales. Roots functioning as holdfasts (not anchored to soil). Flower is blue-violet on a short spike with red bracts. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is not troubled by pests or diseases. More information on Tillandsia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are in a rosette, simple, linear-lanceolate, acute, bases wide and flattened, entire, succulent, medium green covered with absorbent gray scales, to 2.5 in; inner leaves flush red before flowering.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Spike
Flower detail
The inflorescence is a very short terminal spike. A reduced panicle that looks spike-like with violet-purple petals and yellow stamens.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
A subcylindrical capsule 0.5" long, seeds have feathery tufts of hair and are dispersed by wind.