Tillandsia Xerographica

Name: Tillandsia Xerographica, also known as the Queen (or King) of air plants. 

About: The Xerographica are for sure a favorite among air plants and even though they look complicated to care for, they are extremely easy! That is right! These stunning plants are great for experts and beginners alike. They have  a beautiful light green color and leaves that are dramatic, long, and curly. 

Light: They like a bright indirect light and can tolerate medium light. 

Water: These plants like to be watered once a week. If you forget about them for a couple of weeks though they are very forgiving. To water, take your plant from it’s home, hold over a sink or towel, give them a good mist making sure to get all of their leaves. You can also hold them under your tap with room temp water. Once you have given them a drink, give them a good shake to remove excess water. Then lay them on a towel upside down, just to make sure there is no water stuck inside their leaves.

 Do NOT soak your xerographica. Let me say it one more time. Do NOT soak your xerographica. Why? Because water can get trapped inside of them and cause them to rot. In the wild they grow on trees in Guatemala and Mexico, there they do not soak in a tub of water, but water from morning dew. That is better replicated by misting them.

Fertilizing: Air plants do not get any nutrients from soil or your tap water, so it is important to fertilize them at least once a month. Amazon and Etsy both have air plant fertilizers available. 

Pot: Well obviously the xerographica has no roots that go into dirt, so no pot is required. Instead you can have fun and get creative finding the perfect place for them. They like a home with nice air flow, so do not put your air plant inside of a lidded terrarium. Put them in a shallow dish, hang them in some macrame from the ceiling, or just set them on a shelf!

Toxicity: Non-toxic! But maybe don’t let your pets eat them so they remain beautiful and full.