Defying Gravity: How Air Plants Grow, Bloom, and Inspire Wonder: Best of Growing Joy Replay

Air plants don’t get nearly enough love in the houseplant community. They’re an incredible low-maintenance, low-light-tolerant option, and one of the most fascinating plant species out there. They completely defy gravity, hanging from trees without soil. I appreciate them on an even deeper level now that I live in Florida, where I see air plants thriving in their natural habitat every single day, clinging to trees, bark, and branches on my walks. They’re whimsical, a little alien-looking, and endlessly fascinating. I think you’re really going to enjoy nerding out about them with me.

So today, in the Best of Growing Joy series, we’re bringing back my dear friend Josh, the Air Plant Man, from an episode way, way back in the feed.

Josh is a landscape architect turned Tillandsia expert, and he is truly air-plant-obsessed. Not just with caring for them, but with designing sustainable, beautiful ways to showcase these plants through his creations. This episode is a fantastic beginner’s guide to air plants, and I hope you walk away knowing something new about them by the end.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• Josh’s upbring and how he connected with plants initially
• Why outdoor gardeners say they can’t keep houseplants
• What an airplant is, genus, family, and why it is special
• What are trichomes
• How Airplants get their nutrients
• To fertilize or not to fertilize?
• What airplant “blushing” is
• How airplants bloom and how to care for them when they do
• How to propagate airplants from their seeds
• Airplant Care 101
• Debunking watering plant myths
• Everything we need to know about Airplant Pups
• How to separate pups from their mother plant
• What to know about the sexy and instagram friendly Xerografica Airplant
• Josh’s top 5 recommendations for more uncommon airplants for the planty collector

 

Which winter houseplant tip are you excited to try first?

Check out the full show notes and blog for all the winter-prep tips!

 

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