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!

 

Follow Josh

Website

Instagram

Facebook

X

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.