True, very curious indeed. These little critters have no supporting root structure; they aren’t planted in soil and they absorb water and nutrients through the air. They cling to other objects but do not adversely affect their host – instead they speckle it with interesting detail. They grow like gnarly tentacles and flower with the most fascinatingly vibrant colours. How mysterious and unique these creatures are.
Tillandsia are evergreen perennials in the Bromeliad family native to Central and South America, the Southern United States, and the West Indies. For those who have traveled to Florida, a familiar example of these plants is Tillandsia usneoides. Commonly known as Spanish Moss, Tillandsia usneoides is the elegant drapery seen cascading off the undersides of most larger trees. There are roughly 625 different species of Tillandsia, which are epiphytic, a Greek term meaning “upon a plant.” Tillandsia do not require roots and do not need to be planted in soil. They gather nutrients and moisture from the air using tiny pockets in their foliage called trichomes. The roots that they do form act solely as anchors to help secure them to their host. As these plants are native to tropical and sub-tropical climates they require bright, indirect sunlight and thrive off humidity.
Their unique physical characteristics make Tillandsia excellent interior accents. Additionally, they are easy to care for! Mist your Tillandsia a couple of times each week and submerge it fully every 2 weeks. Be sure to let your plant dry fully before putting it back on display. If it has a bulbous base let it dry upside down. Distilled water is bad for the plant and rain waster is preferable but water quality is generally not important. They require bright, indirect sunlight but fluorescent lighting is beneficial. More plant care information can be found online. A quick search on Pinterest will inspire some creativity for your home or office. There are no limitations to how these intriguing specimens can be displayed.
True, very curious indeed.
*Post contributed by [Adam Braun](https://gelderman.com/company/team/58/adam-braun), Breslau Branch Construction Crew Leader*
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