Tropical plants, indoor plants, orchids, indoor garden or exotics-all known by many names are eye catching options you have for decorating your home. The multitude of types and varieties of indoor plants will provide you with an array of colors and growth habits to suit any indoor environment.

Enter the Air Plant, known as Tillandsia. This is a very unique choice and much of its' care requirements are a mystery to most people. I had one of these plants years and years ago, but it died because I had no idea how to care for it. That's what happens to most people without accurate information on how to care for them.

Contrary to their name they do not live on air. They are likely called this because they don't have roots like other plants and grow high up on the surface of the trees of the tropics. They need frequent water like any other plant, but how you provide that water is where the main differences lie. Here is a quick list of the main preferences of the Tillandsia.

Air Plants Like:

• To be watered 2 to 3 times per week, with plain tap water
• A good soaking for a few hours every few weeks
• They like to be dry between each watering
• To be dunked in water, intended to mimic a tropical rainstorm
• Moving air flow
• High natural light levels
• Humidity through misting, but it's not a replacement for watering

Air Plants Do Not Like:

• Soil (it will die if planted like a typical plant)
• "Wet Feet"-meaning the base and roots of the plant staying wet
• Distilled water
• Artificially softened water
• Stuffy rooms or offices
• To remain wet for more than 4 hours (water in the morning so it's dry by nightfall)
• Copper-don't secure with or hang them from a copper wire

When thinking of a place to display your Tillandsia your choices are numerous. They are very forgiving and will grow in any direction, you can even hang them upside down. This allows you to find a unique spot to hang, glue or secure your plant. Choose a place that is mobile to allow for easy watering because they don't get the same care as typical tropical plants.

The roots of the Tillandsia are not required for their growth, they are used only for securing themselves. If you don't like the look of them or they are in your way, you can trim them off without hurting the plant. The type of glue you use deserves a moment of consideration. Shoo Goo, or plumbers glue are good choices because they are waterproof and won't let go after time passes. Do not use superglue or Crazy Glue.

You can also nail or staple the plant to a piece of wood, but only staple the roots. If you staple or nail through any of the green part your plant will die. Untreated cedar or grape wood is best because they are resistant to rotting. Sometimes a beautiful piece of driftwood from the ocean is perfect. This is fine but you must soak the piece of wood for several days in water to draw out the salt. If too much salt is left in the wood, the plant will experience browning of the tips.

If you follow the tips and guidelines above you will likely have decent success with your new Air plant. I recommend trying one of these in your home, it will be a conversation piece for sure. There are other really interesting plants you can have as well such as the Carnivorous family of plants.