A GUIDE TO

AIR PLANT TYPES AND ORIGINS

MESIC | XERIC | HYDRIC

The fundamentals

To properly care for our air plants, understanding their origins is key. These fascinating epiphytes thrive in diverse environments, and decoding their native habitats unveils the secrets to providing the perfect balance of water, humidity, and light they need to flourish.

While the standard guideline of a weekly water soak serves as a good starting point, tending to these resilient plants involves considering various environmental factors. An air plant basking in the bright and humid ambiance of a bathroom requires different care compared to its counterpart in a dimly lit office near an air vent.

Achieving their peak health and happiness involves keen observation, making subtle adjustments, and closely monitoring their responses. 

Now, let's delve deeper into the three primary air plant types – mesic, xeric, and hydric – each with its unique traits and preferences. Understanding these distinctions is your ticket to becoming a pro at nurturing these exceptional botanical companions. 

MESIC

Origins and Characteristics: 
Mesic air plants are native to humid environments like rainforests. You can often find them attached to trees. They have a rich, dark green color, and their leaves are flat and smooth, often times lacking the fuzzy appearance of trichomes seen in xeric air plants.

Care Requirements: 
Mesic air plants have a low tolerance for drought and need more frequent watering and misting. Ideal humidity levels range from 50% to 70%. They prefer filtered sunlight mimicking the rainforest canopy.

Common Air Plant Varieties:
Tillandsia Bulbosa Guatemala
Tillandsia Andreana
Tillandsia Butzii

XERIC

Origins and Characteristics: 
Xeric air plants, on the other hand, originate from semi-arid climates, often found on rocks and cacti. They stand out with a grayish color and a fuzzy appearance due to their abundant trichomes. Their adaptability to arid conditions makes them unique.

Care Requirements: 
Xeric air plants are drought-tolerant, meaning they don't require frequent watering or misting. They can handle brighter light but should be protected from direct sunlight.

Common Air Plant Varieties:
Tillandsia Xerographica
Tillandsia Ionantha
Tillandsia Caput
Tillandsia Tectorum Ecuador

HYDRIC

Origins and Characteristics: 
Hydric air plants share their origins with mesic varieties, coming from similar humid environments in tropical regions. They require similar care and light, however, hydric air plants require a more consistent level of moisture than the mesic air plant varieties.

Care Requirements: 
Hydric air plants need a much more frequent watering and misting schedule to maintain proper moisture. Display them in bathrooms and showers to cut down on misting requirements.

Common Air Plant Varieties:
Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss)