Tillandsias — easy to grow, sometimes weird-looking and always beautiful
To produce flowers or “pups” (baby plants) or even just to grow faster.One of the best sources for air plants is the local wholesaler Owens Gardens of Monroe, WA. (Phone: 360-794-6422/no website). They sell their plants to a number of Washington State nurseries like Ravenna Gardens and City Peoples. Or, catch the affable husband-and-wife team at a few regional plant sales per year, including at Seattle’s Northwest Flower & Garden Show and Portland’s Yard Garden & Patio Show.
I picked up a whole passel of new varieties in the past few weeks and tucked them into my shower caddy, where they get bright light from a south-facing window, plus humidity and good air circulation.
And since air plants are epiphytes , they don’t need to be “planted.” In habitat, they affix themselves by their roots to trees buildings or wires, deriving nutrients and moisture from the air and from run-off rather than their roots. But unless you glue them to a piece of wood, or never ever move them, they probably won’t attach themselves to anything in your home.
