Gerald Filipski

Confused about what type of potting soil to use for your indoor plants ? How about plants with no soil ? Tillandsia spp . are epiphytes that grow in nature on other plants and are usually found on tree branches . Tillandsias belong to the family of bromeliads and have developed the remarkable ability to absorb water and nutrients through small scales on their leaf surface rather than through roots like other plants . These plants are often called “ air plants ” because of their ability to survive on air alone , and they may be the epitome of the low-maintenance plant .

The beauty of these little plants is that they truly do not need any soil to grow and can be placed on almost any substrate . The roots of the plants will grow like little wires to attach themselves to the substrate . You can even hot-glue these plants in place wherever you like . A common practice is to attach them to pieces of driftwood , along with some pebbles and perhaps shells , creating a natural “ scene .” They can just as easily be placed into a miniature terra cotta pot giving the illusion of a potted plant . One of the new trends with these plants is linked to the increasing popularity of indoor fountains . Tillandsias make great plant subjects for these miniature fountains and can easily be attached to your favourite fountain for some instant indoor plantscaping . The key thing to remember is to allow water to drain away from the base of the plant if it is permanently attached to a substrate . If the water pools around the base , the plant will rot .

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