If asked to picture a houseplant , what comes to mind first is likely a specimen pot up in a pretty container filled with land .
But there is an entirely unlike category of houseplants usable to you that can be grown on driftwood , shells , lava rocks , and pieces of wood .
These plants are called epiphytes , and they grow on other plant in the wild , commonly Tree .
Photo by Clare Groom
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You probably do n’t have a massive tree rise inside your mansion , but that ’s hunky-dory !
Imagine a staghorn fern mounted on a wood brass or an orchid growing in the crook of a pretty piece of driftwood that you found on the beach .
In this guidebook , we ’ll put in you to the broad , wonderful world of epiphytic plants . Here ’s a quick summation of what ’s coming up :
What You’ll Learn
Whether you ’ve already brought home an epiphyte and need to get laid how to worry for it , or you ’re just curious about these enchanting plants , this pathfinder has you covered .
countenance ’s dim our toes into the pee .
What Are Epiphytes?
Epiphytes are defined as plant that uprise on other plant , and they make up an stupefying raiment of different coinage . For case , Spanish moss is an aerophyte , and so areSwiss cheese plantsandfiddle - leaf figs .
Mosses , orchids , bromeliads , and certain type of fern are some of the most coarse ace , but epiphytes are found in every major works menage .
Most aerophyte cum are spread by birds and mammal such as monkeys that eat the seeded player of mature plant or the yield that contains them . They drop the seeds , or the seeds come out in their waste , and often these will land on the branch of a tree .
Most likely to burgeon forth if the germ lands in a crook of a branch where moss or lichens have forgather , they can make a dwelling house anywhere that moss , lichens , or flora waste is find along the branches or bole of a tree .
Then , the seed pullulate and sends roots out to get the picture onto the tree and hold the works in place .
aerophyte are n’t parasitic , meaning they do n’t draw nourishment from the innkeeper plant life . They are plants that can get everything they call for to survive – sun , zephyr , urine , and nourishment – on their own . They just use another works as a means of support .
If you think about it , growing in the air in a tree has some advantages . You ’re close to the animals that spread your seminal fluid , and you ’re close to the Dominicus and rain . You ’re also out of reach of grazing species and other earth - bound animals .
Some epiphytes spend their whole living up in the air , while others send roots down as they maturate . These roots eventually reach the dirt , where the works continues to produce .
Still others start in the ground and rise up trees or shrub . The first , entirely airborne group are called holo - air plant , while the latter two are called hemi - epiphytes .
By the way , there are epiphytes that grow on other live being besides flora as well . These are called epizoic . Algae and Branta leucopsis are two examples . They both grow on ocean mammals , while algae also grows on sloth .
You might take a looking at at this listing and marvel why so many of these are often being grown as potted houseplants if they grow in the outgrowth of trees in the state of nature .
Hemi - epiphytes are perfectly happy in well - drain , light soil , but even holo - epiphytes can be coaxed into live on in a potting medium , for the most part .
plant are wonderful lifeforms , adapting to a range of status to survive . you could also grow many types without grime as houseplant , if you need . It ’s a second more of a challenge , but the results can be pretty exceptional .
If you ’re interested in learning to grow these flora without a filth substrate , this guide includes some recommended mintage to stress – so keep reading !
How to Grow Epiphytes
There are numerous fashion to grow epiphytes without grunge , but every mintage is different , so you need to be certain to understand the specific requirements of your select multifariousness before you jump in with both feet .
That said , there are some general guidelines that you may follow for most species .
First , you must select a supportive radical for the plant to supercede the tree or other industrial plant that they would unremarkably grow on .
Options admit grow in a container filled with bark or lava rock ( think hanging field goal or small bowl ) , securing the works to deadwood or cork , or anchoring it to a sphagnum moss - covered object .
Most species need a soilless medium such as moss orcoconut coirto reserve moisture , but there are a few that can spring up without it .
Do n’t usepeat mossunless you ’re produce a species that prefers acidulous conditions . or else , you could pick out sphagnum moss which has a indifferent pH.
to boot , attempt to buy your sphagnum moss from a reliable informant . Many mosses and lichen are illicitly harvested from the wild , which is detrimental to the environment .
It ’s worth mention that sphagnum moss and peat moss technically come from the same plant , but the former is the live part that grows on the soil , while the latter is decades – or even 100 – worth of idle sphagnum moss that has compact into layers .
That ’s why peat moss is n’t a very sustainable option , while harvesting sphagnum moss is a routine friendly to the planet .
Coconut coir is a desirable choice since it is made out of waste from the coconut growing diligence , and it has a more achromatic pH than peat .
check that to purchase a coconut coir that has been litigate to dispatch salts and chemicals , and is formulated for use as a growing medium . While you’re able to use chips or fiber , press chips and pith are easiest to work with .
Prococo Compressed Coconut Husks
you could purchase 10 pounds of compressed chipsfrom Arbico Organicsif you ’d care to use this medium in your growing attempt .
Remember that most aerophyte do n’t grow on bare wood in nature . The seeds unremarkably shore in moss or dust that has gathered in the crook of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree offset , and that ’s where they grow .
Most of the plants on the following listing want some form of medium to develop in .
If you employ driftwood , which makes a beautiful base , it ask a little preparation . Also , be sure to insure for any local restrictions on gathering driftwood in your area .
pluck the wood for 24 hours to leach out any salts that it may stop or be coat with . Rinse the wood well , and allow it to dry .
Next , you involve to be selective about the specific specimen you choose .
When select a specimen to mount , feel one that has a small crown of foliage , with a heavy stalk , if possible .
You do n’t want to choose something that is top - punishing because the roots wo n’t be able to plump for the weight , and the industrial plant wo n’t stay put . You want something that can uprise a solid root complex body part before producing batch of large leaf .
In the wild , epiphytes germinate in the spot where they will ultimately develop and grow . That commit them time to impound to the tree diagram before they send out a big , shaggy-haired poll of foliage . But we are working with plants that have already germinated and grown a bit for indoor culture , so you will require to provide a little aid .
Any air plant you transplant that shift around at all , say in a picnic or because it is bumped , wo n’t be able to make grow a secure base .
That ’s why we need to mount them using some sort of anchor , to preclude damage to the develop root organisation . This mainstay can be bump off once the root base is hardy .
Suitable anchor materials admit jute , twine , sportfishing line , silicone glue , bonsai wire , or rope .
Before you cast anchor the plant , you ’ll call for to either wrap the rootage in sphagnum moss ( or your prefer textile ) or attach your substrate material securely to the base . you may use staple fibre , mucilage , or fishing wire to do this .
Attach the plant by the radical to the base using your select material . Do n’t attach it using the leaf .
If you need to treat up any obvious twine or wire , use a pH achromatic glue to hold a lean level of moss in place on top of the anchoring cloth .
I use an acid - free mucilage made for bookbinding by Lineco , available at Amazon in 16 snow leopard bottles .
For those arise on a erect support base , if the plant wo n’t stay in position even after you ’ve attach it with your anchor , remove some leave or choose a pocket-sized works . You want to set aside the industrial plant to develop a large root system before it modernize a large jacket .
Most aerophyte can be irrigate by befog them or saturating the growing stand .
Almost all epiphytes grow in warm , tropical areas in the state of nature , so they demand a fond surround . That ’s why you usually see them mature indoors . And most need bright , collateral luminance .
Epiphytes need to be feed using a foliar fertilizer . you could use any limpid houseplant plant food for this . Dilute it by one-half and pour it into a pressure spray , then gently mist your works . Timing and absolute frequency varies depend on the species .
insistence sprayers are handy for more than just fertilizing . you’re able to also use them to becloud the plants to increase humidity . Fill the bottle with body of water , pump it a few multiplication , and then hold down the initiation to spray .
Delta Plant Care Pressure Sprayer
If you plan to develop epiphytes , it ’s a near melodic theme to keep one of these on hand!Arbico Organics carriesa 48 - snow leopard sprayer that ’s everlasting for home exercise .
Haws Plant Mister
Or , if you are looking or something a act more ornamental , Terrain carriesgorgeous copper plant misters that supply a blue-blooded atomiser of water for your plant .
15 Varieties that Shine as Houseplants
If you descend across a species at a garden center or online that is an epiphyte , even if it is growing in soil currently , you may transplant it to uprise on wood or in a hanging basket if you take .
Here are 15 varieties that are commonly found in stores , and that will maturate well this way .
1. Anthurium
Most , but not all , Anthuriumspecies are epiphytes . The popularA. andraeanumspecies is epiphytic and can be grown this way of life in the home .
You will often see these pretty plants around the winter holiday , and the scarlet spathe and deep green leafage of some specie complement a holiday color schema dead .
Most species turn as houseplants reach about 18 inch magniloquent .
Those beautiful , glossy spathes have spadix at the heart that shape reproductive seed if the lilliputian flowers that embrace them on the exterior are pollinated . In the wild , these seeds are eat by birds and spread from one tree to the next .
To grow one of your own , take out the plant from the soil it come in and wrap the root in sphagnum moss or shredded coconut tree coir . marry everything together with jute , and affix it to your choose support .
tailflower
By the room , if you ’re interested in grabbing a gorgeousA. andraeanumwith bright red spathes , Nature Hills Nursery carriesplants in four - column inch containers .
Anthuriums can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12 . Indoors or out , provide them with bright , indirect visible light .
Read to develop anthurium houseplants in our guide .
2. Begonia
Not all begonias are epiphytic , but many are . B.abdullahpieei , B.ampla , B.blancii , B.conchifolia , B.fusicarpa , B.fulvo - setulosa , B.herbacea , B.lanceolata , B.prismatocarpa , B.rex , B.scutifolia , sect.trachelocarpus , andB.vellozianaare a few example of epiphytic species .
These plants need circle of H2O , and they must be kept moist . They ’re not for the lazy houseplant parent .
That ’s why many hoi polloi choose to get them interrariums , and misting is also welcome . They like the surrounding weather condition to be highly humid .
attempt to keep these plants somewhere that they wo n’t be exposed to extreme changes in temperature , zephyr , or draught . You do n’t want to place yours near a door or airwave vent . They care bright , filtered light but not direct sun .
In other Christian Bible , these species are n’t the skillful for tyro . But if you’re able to drop anchor a beautiful begonia , it make up quite a statement .
They can be grow outdoors on zone 9 and 10 , but extra diligence is required to keep them moist if you do n’t experience in an field that is naturally humid .
Begonia Blancii
If you ’re up for the challenge of starting your begonia from a folio cutting , you’re able to regain freshB. blanciicuttingsavailable via Amazon .
This is an exceptionally good species to develop as an epiphyte and its dappled leaf look striking in a terrarium .
3. Bird’s-Nest Fern
These popular houseplants ( Asplenium nidus ) are commonly grown in deal , but in their native home ground , you ’ll happen them gamy up in the outlaw of tree .
These fern have long , average green , spoon - shaped leaf that acquire up to two feet long .
To come through at grow this metal money without soil , you need to keep it in a humid surroundings . A casual spritz can do the job , but its betting odds of thriving are even better if you allow a base of sphagnum moss to concord some wet .
you’re able to originate them outdoors in Zones 10 and 11 , and indoors otherwise .
Provide your bird’s - nest fern with fond shade and a location out of direct sunlight . strain or mottled light is good .
Bird’s - Nest Fern
you could regain bird’s - nest ferns in four - inch growers potsavailable from Home Depot .
Find tips on caring for bird ’s nest fern here .
4. Blue Star Fern
You wo n’t see these plants ( Phlebodium aureum ) too often in your median baby’s room , but they ’re worth seeking out . The matte , dust-covered , blue - fleeceable foliage more or less resemble fingers .
This plant can grow in downcast light , or bright , indirect light equally well .
Blue star ferns need a moss base to do well , but their lightweight leaf means they can be anchored to a fairly flyspeck base . They are brave in Zones 9 to 11 .
5. Bromeliad
Plants commonly make out as bromeliads are members ofthe Bromeliaceae house , and feature striking foliage and sepals that come in a range of colors , including red , green , purple , yellow , and orange .
They can be solid , or feature film stripe or spots . Not all bromeliads are epiphytes , but many are , including species in theAechmea , Billbergia , Cryptanthus , andVrieseagenera .
They require a substratum to carry onto , whether that ’s bark , cork , fifth wheel , or sphagnum moss . A piddling humidness will be apprize , and bromeliads favor an acidulent substrate , so peat moss works well .
Most gardenersgrow them indoors , but you could also get them out of doors in Zones 10 and 11 .
These plants will pup and spread along whatever financial backing you put them on , so you might prefer to use a long piece of driftwood that your bromeliad can dilate across .
Bromeliads have vary lightheaded needs , but most epiphytic types prefer shade or percolate partial sun .
6. Dischidia
All plants in theDischidiagenus are epiphytes . You ’ll most often see million nitty-gritty plants ( D. ruscifolia ) , Citrullus vulgaris ( D. ovata ) , and ant plants ( D. pectinoides ) in stores .
These flora are jolly tiny , so they do n’t need monumental supports . drop anchor them on small pieces of Grant Wood cut across with sphagnum moss and let them trail down . It ’s like consume a living patch of wall prowess .
In Zones 10 to 11 , you’re able to rent them trail off tree branches or decorative wood outside .
These demand frequent misting and promising , indirect light to stay put healthy .
7. Epiphyllum
Epiphyllumis a genus of cacti and these species are pop houseplants . As you may have guessed from the name , they are all epiphytes .
E. anguliger , E. hookerii , E. oxypetalum , E. pumilum , E.x ‘ Edna Bellamy ’ aresome of the unwashed speciesyou’ll find at stores .
Despite being cacti , they need a generous amount of water . You ca n’t let the antecedent dry out out if you want them to thrive .
For that reason , they do best in a basketful or other bowl - like structure fill with peat or bog moss moss , or coconut coir . Provide shining , indirect illumination and steady misting . raise in the right weather condition , they ’ll treat you to a show of flowers during the winter .
you’re able to raise these out-of-doors in Zones 10 and 11 , and they may form their delicious fruit if you do .
encounter more tips on growingEpiphyllumor grove cacti here .
8. Fern Leaf Cactus
The fern leaf cactus , aka fern leafage orchid cactus ( genus Selenicereus chrysocardium)has striking , wing - alike “ farewell , ” which are actually stems .
These are tight - growing and undemanding when it comes to pee . The foliage is showy , intermediate super C , and gracefully weeping . This mintage is a shy bungle , so do n’t expect to see any of the spider - like yellow and white flower if you ’re growing it indoors .
This plant needs a enceinte base of support since it can grow fairly big and heavy . But it does n’t need frequent watering or any misting .
you’re able to rise it in rock , bog moss or peat moss , or barque , either indoors , or out of doors in Zones 10 and 11 . This species also needs bright but filtered light .
9. Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Yep , those Jurassic - search works usually referred to as fiddle - leaf figs ( Ficus lyrata ) that you see all over the place in home and hotels are actually epiphytes . Hemi - epiphytes , to be exact .
Birds and mammal rust the ejaculate of the fig fruits and spread them to other trees . As the industrial plant turn , it post down roots that wrap around the host tree diagram , earn all plant in the genus the cognomen strangler fig .
finally , the solution make and cast anchor into the soil , and the master of ceremonies flora is smothered to dying . At that distributor point , the fiddle - leaf Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya grow as a terrestrial plant with those gargantuan aerial etymon spring the automobile trunk .
The only reliable selection to develop this flora as an air plant at rest home are to purchase a very young seedling and anchorman it as described above , or to take a cutting and settle down it in moss on a large support .
you’re able to grow it either of these ways for a few year , but eventually , you will have to graft your plant into some soil because it will become too large to be supported by the fundament you provide .
Remember , in nature , these plants will finally send down roots into the earth to act as an extra documentation , but they likely wo n’t have that chance in your home .
You could point a deal filled with ground below the plant for it to send roots down into , if you ’d like . Eventually , the aerial roots will drop anchor into the ground and form a form of body .
Even indoors , these plant will eventually grow too large to quell supported in the air . But in the meantime , they make astounding ethereal specimens .
outside , in zone 9 to 11 , you may set aside the plant to post down aerial theme to the soil on its own and it will stay back this elbow room . Those roots are strong enough to basically do as a automobile trunk for the canopy .
Provide it with bright , indirect illumination or a few hour of unmediated morning sun .
Do n’t have a violin - folio fig that you’re able to take a cutting from ?
Fiddle - Leaf Fig
you’re able to buy a two - foot - magniloquent plantfrom Costa Farms via Amazon . Just be certain to trim off a few leaves before anchor it to your chosen base so it is n’t too top sound .
Learn more about growing violin folio figs in our comprehensive guide .
10. Hoya
Hoyas are pretty spectacular houseplants because they are so various , but most are extremely prosperous to care for , require indirect light and temperate water .
Most species bring out lovely flower , and most are also epiphytes . You canread more about recommend varieties to produce at home in our roundup .
They do well when turn in barque or moss – either sphagnum or peat , depend on the species – and have hanging or upright growth habits , so you could choose the right one to take on your aim goals . you could sometimes feel them in storage pre - mount onto planks of wood cover in sphagnum moss .
Hoyas are audacious outdoors in Zones 9 to 11 .
tick off out ourguide to farm hoyas to acquire helpful tips for plate cultivation .
11. Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus radicansis quite felicitous in sphagnum moss and grows well under artificial light , so it ’s an idealistic option for apartment dwellers or offices .
Thanks to their weeping habit , lipstick plants are also suitable for maturate in hang basket filled with moss . But they need a muckle of water , so do n’t skimp .
To further bloom , deoxidize lachrymation in the wintertime and expose them to temperature in the low sixty . This species may be acquire outside in Zones 10 and 11 .
12. Monstera
Monsteraspecies such asM. adansonii , M.deliciosa , andM. pinnatipartitaare hemi - epiphytes . Though rare , they may send ethereal roots down into the soil and finally finish their lives as terrene or semi - epiphytic plant .
More often , they can start uprise in the soil and go up up other flora , using aeriform root to find that marvelous sunniness , and eventually leave the soil . Quite adaptable , Monsteras !
You ’ve probably noticed thatMonsterascan grow to be extremely magnanimous . That should tell you that you ca n’t ground these plant to something tiny like a hang basket or shell . Look to tillandsia if that ’s your aspiration – we cover these plants in more particular below .
You ’ll require a bombastic spell of wood address in lots of moss , and even then , you ’ll credibly require to move yourMonsterato some territory eventually .
I ’ve acquire mine on driftwood and deadwood covered in an column inch - wooden-headed stratum of moss and lichen that I gather from my tree . I anchored the wood vertically in a potful of grease . After about a yr , the plant send roots down into the soil . At that decimal point , I go out the wood in blank space to act as something for the plants to crawl up .
It ’s very difficult to turn these as hemi - epiphyte for their full life unless you do it outdoors , which is potential in Zones 10 to 12 .
Otherwise , treat the hemi - epiphytic mintage as you would any other Swiss cheese plant . Our guide provides mint of selective information for preserve these peach happy .
Swiss Cheese plant life
Head over to Nature Hills Nurseryto addM. deliciosain a six - in pile to your collection . That should be just the right size of it to start growing your new plant aerially .
13. Orchid
A magnanimous majority of orchid are epiphytes , with about 70 percent of metal money acquire on other plants . These orchid have a smaller root structure than those that grow in the ground by nature .
Species in theCattleya , Coelogyne , Dendrophylax , Epidendrum , Ionopsis , Oncidium , Phalaenopsis , andProsthecheagenera are some of the most vulgar epiphytic variety .
If you pick up an orchidaceous plant at the storehouse and it is growing in a basketball hoop occupy with moss or bark , you may be sure that it ’s an epiphyte . If your orchid is presently in flower when you buy it – and it belike is – hold off until it has finished blooming before you repot or wax it .
Orchids come in a wide compass of hardiness levels , size , and colour . you may find types that will develop alfresco twelvemonth - bout in Zones 6 to 12 .
They must be hold open moist and do good from daily misting . Their sluttish needs vary .
PhalaenopsisOrchid
Though most orchidaceous plant - lover are in it for the flowers , Home Depot carriesPhalaenopsisorchidsthat are n’t in bloom in five - inch plastic pots , so you may deflect macerate money on the kind that are sell in fancy containers .
These are staring for our needs , because you want to mount your orchidaceous plant while it is n’t flower .
Learn more about how to grow orchid in our guidebook .
14. Orchid Cactus
Disocactus ackermanniihas a beautiful tears substance abuse with thick , succulent leaves and burnished violent flower .
orchidaceous plant cactus are n’t demanding about piss , which makes them a nice option for those who live in siccative areas . They grow well outdoors in Zones 10 and 11 , but are just as felicitous indoors with undimmed , indirect light .
Because they create big flowers and ponderous leaf , they need a large , sturdy mainstay . satisfactory medium include rock , bark , and moss . Grow this mintage in filtered sun .
15. Peperomia
Peperomias are darling houseplants for good understanding . They are easy to wish for , do n’t postulate much Dominicus or H2O , and provide year - unit of ammunition textural people of color .
Many specie also happen to be air plant , includingP. albovittata , P. angulata , P. argyreia , P. caperata , P. emarginela , P. obtusifolia , P. pellucida , P. prostrata , P. rotundifolia , P. serpens , andP. tetragona .
While they like a little number of misting , they do n’t need a short ton of body of water around their roots . A moss root word anchor to a small support is all you need , since these plant life are reasonably lightweight .
Most specie can hold up outdoors in Zones 10 and 11 .
Watermelon Peperomia
Amazon carries watermelon peperomiasin four - in containers , which is just the right size of it for starting them as epiphytes .
check more about growing peperomias in our guide .
16. Philodendron
philodendron are extremely like to their relativesMonsterasin appearance . In fact , they are often confused for each other and were once classified together .
These , too , by and large start life-time in the land and send up aerial roots to climb up host plants . Once they climb up the plant and reach sunshine , the stem in the soil die and they become whole epiphytic .
Extremely adaptable , philodendrons will slowly climb through the treetops , set aside the funny bits left behind to die . If the smear they are growing in is too teetotal , they ’ll just send roots down into the ground to obtain water .
Even more telling , if part of the plant fall to the ground in a windstorm or other cataclysm , it can start all over again . Many hemi - epiphytes ca n’t do this .
If you need to try out growing a philodendron without dirt , you ’ll still need a stalwart base cover in moss that ’s ground in grime for the industrial plant to drop roots into if needed .
They ’re similar to violin - leaf figs orMonsterasin that way . you’re able to also get them do their matter naturally outdoors in Zones 9 to 11 .
Heartleaf Philodendron
If you ’d like to try your helping hand at arise one , Home Depot carry beautiful heartleaf philodendronsin six - inch nursery pots .
Learn to produce philodendrons in our scout .
17. Schlumbergera
Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergeraxbuckleyi ) , Easter cactus ( S. gaertneri ) , and Thanksgiving cactus ( S. truncata ) are democratic options for adding colour to the plate during the cooler month when they are in flush .
When raise without soil , they need a substantial understructure to cleave to , like deadwood or driftwood . They have a weeping growth habit , so they must be anchored for quite a while to reserve them to develop a gravid antecedent system that can support the system of weights .
If you ’re new to the epiphyte globe , this is a well genus to start with . These plants do n’t require buckets of water to survive ( they are commonly have-to doe with to as cacti , after all ) , though they do need some humidity .
Spray them every sidereal day with a mister unless you endure somewhere humid .
These species may produce out of doors in Zones 10 to 12 . Provide yours with a moderate amount of water and collateral Inner Light . They can be grow in moss , barque , and rocks .
Our guide to growing Christmas cactuscan facilitate you learn more about how to raise these plants .
18. Staghorn Fern
Staghorn ferns , species in thePlatyceriumgenus , get their common name from their antler - similar leave . Some species are referred to as elkhorn ferns alternatively because of their thin leaves , which are technically called frond .
P. bifurcatumis perhaps the most plebeian coinage found in stores , and it lends itself exceptionally well to growing as an epiphyte as doesP. hillii . P. superbumandP. angolenseare impress , but are a bit more difficult to raise , particularly without soil .
In zone 9 and above , you may rise these ferns outside . In cooler orbit , you could move them indoors when temperature drop below 40 ° atomic number 9 .
They get well in wire basket or on pieces of Sir Henry Wood covered with sphagnum moss . you’re able to often receive these anchored to wooden plank to resemble mounted antlers .
Allow the substratum to dry out out completely before adding more weewee . It ’s easy to overwater these , even when they are grown as air plant , and oversaturation may cause putrefaction .
Staghorn ferns do n’t have stems that you could use to tie an keystone , so wrap your anchoring material around the basal fronds instead .
Do n’t wrap any around the younger , green fronds . These will let on or become discredited . Give them a moss bag rather .
Staghorn and elkhorn fern need brilliant , indirect or separate out lighter .
bump more tips on caring for staghorn ferns here .
19. Tillandsia
Tillandsiaspecies are often concern to as air plants . This genus is made up of over 600 metal money of epiphyte that can grow on other plants or rocks . These plants do n’t get any nutrition or water from their beginning , and they are solely used as anchor .
Tillandsiaplantscan be xeric or mesic . Xeric character grow in teetotal , desert climates , and mesic types in humid rain forest . Look for a xeric eccentric if you are n’t especially diligent at water your plants .
While you may con a list of xeric species , it ’s in reality pretty light to place them . They have silver rather than green leaves , and lot oftrichomes – the hirsute growth that helps the plant seizure moisture . The leaf are commonly flat , rather than lash out .
read more about the different types ofTillandsia .
To water , you must spray or souse them . You ca n’t water whatever fabric the flora is drop anchor to if you intend to provide wet for your plants because the ancestor do n’t absorb water .
talk of , the range of objects you could ground melody plants to is astounding . You often see them spring up in glass balls with rock candy in the substructure , but I ’ve also find out them put in shells , or bear in the air by decorative wire .
You might see them grown on bombastic , holey rock-and-roll , on bamboo strips , in trays , and even in macrame . Do n’t be afraid to get creative !
you may keep these out-of-doors in Zones 9 and above . They can handle verbatim daybreak light and indirect light for the ease of the twenty-four hours .
condition out our comprehensiveguide to originate air travel plantsfor all the information you involve to deliver the goods .
Take to the Sky with Epiphytes
The humanity of epiphyte is engrossing , occupy with an astounding array of sizing , shape , leafage coloration , prime , and maturation habits .
They ’re all beautiful and all fascinating when grow as epiphytes , and outdoors in worthy regions as well .
If you ’d like to learn more about these fantastic species , we have some guides that we hope you ’ll notice utilitarian , including :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . mathematical product pic via Amazon , Arbico Organics , Costa Farms , Home Depot , Nature Hills Nursery , and the Rooted Store . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
