Air plants (tillandsia) have become a big problem in gardening. And who can blame the gardeners who love these varieties?
After all, you can ride them and go about your day, and they will still thrive. And the best? – most do not need potting soils.
As their name suggests, they grow in the air and draw their nutrients from the atmosphere. It makes it easy to place them to showcase their natural beauty, such as hanging accessories, wall decorations, table decorations, etc.
But how big is an aerial installation? Due to the large number of air plant varieties, they can reach a height of 2 inches to 7 feet. But this question boils down to three main factors:
- the type you choose
- Where the air plant thrives (depending on its natural habitat), and
- The kind of care you give your plant
Due to the large number of air plant varieties, they can reach a height of 2 inches to 7 feet.
That’s why I can’t answer you directly. See below for more information on the height of these plants and how to grow yours even taller:
How big can an aerial plant grow?
Tillandsia is a genus, not a specific plant as one might think. And under this genus you will find a number of species that do not grow in the ground.
Instead, they get what they need from their leaves, which draw nutrients and moisture from the air. So when I say an air plant, it could be any such plant.
It can be any of over 600 species that fall under this umbrella. Therefore, it would not be ideal to give you an exact range of the size of your aerial installation.
But you can expect your plant to grow around two inches to seven feet long. Most species average about two inches in size.
However, to give you a better idea of the difference between air plant types, check out the growth buds below:
small air plant species
Suppose you want a plant that will not become unmanageable over time. You may consider one of these types:
the rubra
This plant belongs to the Ionantha family, which has some of the smallest air plants you will ever find.
No matter how well you care for such a plant, it will stay compact throughout its life cycle. The plant produces on average one to two inches tall. They are perfect as accessories because they have beautiful foliage.
running away
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home or office and want a plant that doesn’t take up much room, this is the right choice.
It produces bright red leaves that add character to any room for weeks. And the most interesting? – This average plant one inch in height and diameter.
Andrea
How about a green porcupine in your house? That’s what this plant reminds gardeners of – a porcupine, only in this case you can approach it without being torn by its prickles. This plant grows approx. two to three centimeters.
The Mexican
This species also belongs to the Ionantha family. On average, it reaches approx. one to two centimeters in height and circumference.
The plant is quite hardy and can withstand prolonged neglect. So if you’re a certified plant killer, this might be the match for you.
The escape
If you give this variety the right conditions (as we will see later), it can become three centimeters long.
But if you don’t, you’ll probably hit the one-inch mark, and that’s it. It is an excellent choice for houseplants due to its soft green leaves.
the bandensis
Here is another popular small air plant species that takes the shape of a sea urchin. pushes approx. one to two centimeters medium with dark purple foliage.
Big Air Plant Species
Did you know that some air plants can grow up to 6-7 feet in the wild? It’s about 1.8 to 2.1 meters!
If you could do this indoors, you would have something similar to a greenhouse.
While such heights may not be feasible in your situation, below are some of the tallest types of air plants to consider for your space:
xerography
As 2 inches her? It is not enough? Well, how about none other than 36 inches? That’s 3 feet of foliage that spans your entire space.
And as the plant spreads, so do the broad leaves, creating a beautiful pattern on the wall, ceiling, whatever. This is why these plants are so common in the garden world.
I should also add that they are quite sturdy and would work even for a novice beginner who isn’t quite sure where to start.
And if you want this plant to grow even more, take good care of it and wait for its inflorescences which can each reach 1 meter in length!
The capital of the white giant
You can tell by the name that this is not a small plant. This collectible features silver leaves paired with spikes of yellow flowers that are a feast for the eyes.
Although they are slow growing, they average 0.35 meters in height and circumference. So your patience eventually pays off. If you want them to grow faster, use artificial light.
The Brachycaulos
This attractive, droopy-leaved variety is particularly easy to care for. All you need is to keep it out of direct sunlight and soak it at least twice a week, and the rest will take care of itself.
In the end, it should reach approx. 0.25 meters in height and circumference. Under the right conditions, it can get much bigger.
The options are many. So what will be your choice?
You may also like: What is the ideal humidity for an aeration plant?
How to grow your air plant
Air plants grow slowly. But that doesn’t mean you can’t speed up this process or take your plant to a higher height.
Still, you have to keep in mind that you can’t fight the nature of a plant. If the inner boundary is 2 feet, it can grow that much.
So it’s always good to be realistic and not push too hard. Below are the essential maintenance practices to include in your air plant’s maintenance program:
1) Understand its natural habitat
I’ve talked a lot about the right conditions for each species. But what are the right conditions? Although air plants belong to the same genus, they are adapted to different growing conditions.
Some are xeric while others are mesic. And what works for xeric plants is not necessarily good for mesic species.
Take the example of humidity. Xeric plants prefer to reach over 65%, while mesic plants can handle over 50%.
So understand what applies to your particular plant and go for it. In general, the following terms should serve as a useful guide:
2) Provide sufficient light to the ventilation facility
Most air plants do not like direct light. Leave the plants in bright, indirect light. Ideally, this should be in front of an east or west facing window.
The plant should be near and not against the window to avoid being hit by direct sunlight. Here too, the location depends on the type of plant.
Xeric plants can tolerate more sun than mesic ones. If you can’t give your plant enough natural light, you can supplement it with artificial light.
3) Water the plant regularly
Air plants absorb moisture from the air. Therefore, its way of watering is very different from that of plants in potting soil.
When you water the plant, you can dip it in water or spray it. To soak the plant, soak the roots in water for ten minutes, then place the plant on a towel to allow the roots to dry out for about an hour.
This way the roots are free of water and do not rot. Mesic plants need more watering and you should soak them once a week.
Xeric plants can be watered once every two weeks. If you choose to mist the plant, do so three to seven times a week, depending on the temperature.
Keep in mind that while misting is effective at watering the plant and increasing humidity, you still need to soak the plant occasionally.
4) Make sure temperatures don’t drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit
Air plants do best in moist conditions. And the warmer the air, the more humid it becomes.
Cooler temperatures are detrimental to the plant and can damage foliage, hampering its ability to produce food and survive. Unfortunately, such leaf damage cannot be repaired.
Also watch out for pests. It is easier to ward them off by using neem oil in the air plant.
final thoughts
Most air plants do not live longer than five years. So enjoy your air plant while it lasts and give it the best possible care to see how beautiful it can become. Happy gardening!
Before you go, here are some other related articles that I encourage you to read below to solve more of your gardening problems:
8 Air Plant Problems and How to Fix Them
5 Reasons Your Air Plant Turns Brown and How to Fix It
4 Reasons Your Air Plant Turns Yellow and How to Fix It
How to care for an air plant in winter