25 Great Air Plants To Grow Indoors (2024)

Gardening

Houseplants

Types of Houseplants

• 01 of 25

  Sky Plant (Tillandsia ionantha)

  

  Tillandsia ionantha, also known simply as the sky plant, is one of the most popular air plants. Dozens of cultivars are available, but the primary species is very popular, partly because it's extremely hardy and difficult to kill. The plant is quite attractive, too, with layers of silvery-green leaves that deepen into shades of red and pink as they grow and extend. This color change happens right before the plant blooms with violet blossoms.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America, South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 6–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 02 of 25

  'Druid' Sky Plant (Tillandsia ionantha 'Druid')

  

  With the renewed popularity of air plants, growers are focusing on more unusual colors. Unlike the red leaves of the species Tillandsia ionantha, the leaves of the 'Druid' cultivar turn a peachy-pink tone, and the flowers are white. This plant is usually quite tiny, but it's eye-catching nonetheless.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America, South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 2–4 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 03 of 25

  'Maxima' Sky Plant (Tillandsia ionantha 'Maxima' or 'Huamelula')

  

  If you're in the market for an air plant that makes an impact, the 'Maxima' sky plant, also known as 'Huamelula,'isworth a look.It can handle stronger sun than most air plants and produces multiple flowers simultaneously. The leaves turn coral red before the plant blooms with brilliant purple flowers. This cultivar is considered relatively large for an air plant, reaching 5–6 inches in height with a spread of 3–4 inches.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America, South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 5–6 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; does well under fluorescent light

• 04 of 25

  'Fuego' Sky Plant (Tillandsia ionantha 'Fuego')

  

  See Also

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  Tiny but quite the show-off, 'Fuego' is acultivar bred to keep on blushing long after blooming. The leaves retain their bright color for months. They're small plants, growing only about 1 inch high, but they do fill out quickly. This air plant type could be a focal point in your collection or a conversation starter on your tabletop.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America, South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 1/2–3 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

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• 05 of 25

  Pink Quill Plant (Tillandsia cyanea)

  

  It's easy to see why Tillandsia cyanea is called the pink quill plant. The pink bracts fan out like a feather, with purple flowers poking out the sides. Unlike most air plants, you can even grow this species in soil. However, it's perfectly happy without it, if given plenty of moisture.

  • Native Area: Ecuador
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 8–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 06 of 25

  Mad Pupper (Tillandsia aeranthos bergeri)

  

  Tillandsia aeranthosbergeri—which we prefer to call by its fun common name, Mad Pupper—is one of the most popular air plants because of its vibrant flowers. It blooms reliably every spring with spiky pink and blue blossoms. This is a very low-maintenance species, and, like most air plant varieties, it prefers bright, indirect light or fluorescent light.

  • Native Area: South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 6–10 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light; does well under fluorescent light

• 07 of 25

  'Kolbii' (Tillandsia scaposa 'Kolbii')

  

  Several air plants tend to grow sideways or snake in odd directions. 'Kolbii,' which grows tall and upright in a tight cluster, resembles a bunch of celery. It's not a big plant but makes a statement with the soft gray fuzz on its leaves, especially when they blush pink before blooming. As with many air plant types, you may find this variety classified several different ways, including Tillandsia kolbii, T. scaposa 'Kolbii,' or T. inonanta var. scaposa.

  • Native Area: Guatemala
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 2–5 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 08 of 25

  Brachycaulos (Tillandsia brachycaulos)

  

  The leaves of the brachycaulos air plant (Tillandsiabrachycaulos)fan outward from a central growing point, and the plant turns red as it gets ready to bloom. You may even find plants with leaves that have been dyed red to give the appearance of flowering. This is usually a fairly small plant, growing about 3 inches high with a 4-inch spread, though some cultivars are larger. One hybrid,brachycaulos x concolor, is bred to remain bright green.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America, Venezuela
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 2–8 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

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• 09 of 25

  Bulbous Air Plant (Tillandsia bulbosa)

  

  Tillandsia bulbosa derives its common name from its bulbous roots, but it's the contorted, narrow leaves that give it the most interest. Bulbous air plants are often described as looking like tentacles, and the leaves will change to purple or red, just before the plant is ready to bloom. When grown outdoors, Tillandsia bulbosa has a symbiotic relationship with ants. The bulbs are somewhat hollow, and the ants make their home inside them. In exchange, the plant feeds off the waste the ants leave behind.

  • Native Area: Southern Mexico, Central America, South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 4–7 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light or partial shade

• 10 of 25

  Cacticola (Tillandsia cacticola)

  

  Cacticola (Tillandsia cacticola) is hard to find in cultivation because it doesn't produce many offsets. However, this air plant type is greatly valued for its lovely lavender flower. It has a silvery-green rosette of leaves, out of which juts a long stem that holds the flower about 8–9 inches above the plant. The name refers to its habit of growing on cacti.

  • Native Area: Peru
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 3–9 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 11 of 25

  'Peach' Air Plant (Tillandsia capitata 'Peach')

  

  The thick leaves ofTillandsiacapitata'Peach' are surprisingly soft to the touch. They form a silver-green rosette that changes to a peachy-pink hue as it gets ready to bloom. The peach coloring makes a striking contrast to the purple flower. The largest specimens are 5–8 inches high, although 2–3-inch plants are common.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, Dominican Republic
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 2–8 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light; will tolerate full sun

• 12 of 25

  Circinata (Tillandsia circinata)

  

  Thick silvery-green leaves give Tillandsia circinata a very substantial appearance for an air plant, almost like a bulb of fennel. Circinata plants will flower in either yellow or purple and grow to 6–8 inches in height, although they're only about 1 inch across at their base.

  See Also

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  • Native Area: Mexico,Costa Rica,Bahamas
  • USDA Growing Zones: 10–11
  • Height: 6–8 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light or partial shade

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• 13 of 25

  'Cotton Candy' (Tillandsia stricta x T. recurvifolia 'Cotton Candy')

  

  'Cotton Candy' is ahybridof Tillandsia strictaand T. recurvifolia. It has long, thin, silvery leaves that look like a loose spider dahlia. It was bred for its striking pink flower spike; the bracts look as though they're inflated. This air plant variety needs very bright light to flower its best.

  • Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 5–6 inches (12 inches is possible)
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 14 of 25

  Loliacea (Tillandsia loliacea)

  

  If miniature air plants fascinate you, loliacea (Tillandsia loliacea) is a real charmer. The plant itself never gets much larger than 1 1/2 inches high, but it reaches its flower stalk up another 2–3 inches to display equally tiny yellow flowers. These small air plants look equally appealing perched on wood or clustered in terrariums, where they can soak up excess moisture.

  • Native Area: Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 1–3 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 15 of 25

  Didsticha (Tillandsia didsticha)

  

  Didsticha (Tillandsia didisticha) is very large for a Tillandsia, growing upward of 1 foot high at maturity. The base of the plant forms an airy spray of slender, pointed, gray-green leaves. Out of them comes the flower stalk with pinkish bracts and small white flowers. A popular cultivar to check out is 'Burnt Fingers.'

  • Native Area: Bolivia, Brazil
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 6–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 16 of 25

  Dyeriana (Tillandsia dyeriana)

  

  With its bright orange inflorescence, dyeriana(Tillandsiadyeriana)definitely has a tropical flair. The actual flowers are white, but they're upstaged by the exuberance of the bracts. This is one of the few air plant types that can also be grown in pots, where it can be better assured of receiving adequate moisture. When potted, it can grow rather large: 12–18 inches high.Be sure to give this air plant lots ofhumidity.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America, Ecuador
  • USDA Growing Zones: 10–11
  • Height: 3–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

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• 17 of 25

  Giant Air Plant (Tillandsia fasciculata)

  

  Unlike most air plants,Tillandsia fasciculatahas multiple common names, including the giant air plant, quill-leaf air plant, cardinal air plant, and wild pineapple. This is one of the most commonly grown air plants, and there are hundreds of variations and hybrids. The species has a red and green inflorescence that stays attractive for weeks.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America, West Indies, northern South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: Up to 3 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 18 of 25

  Flabellata (Tillandsia flabellata)

  

  Instead of a rosette of slender leaves, Tillandsia flabellata grows tall and vase-shaped, with a spray of red flower spikes sometimes described as a candelabra. As air plants go, the flabellata is quite large, growing up to 12 inches high.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 6–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 19 of 25

  Argentea (Tillandsia fuchsii var. garcilis)

  

  Formerly called Tillandsia argentea, the argentea air plant has a bulbous base that's likened to a pincushion and long, extremely thin gray-green leaves.Tillandsia fuchsii var. garcilis is a delicate plant that only gets about 5–6 inches high and remains 1–2 inches wide. Even the flashy orange-red inflorescence is dainty.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Jamaica
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 5–6 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 20 of 25

  Funkiana (Tillandsia funkiana)

  

  These elongated air plants bend and curl into odd shapes, sometimes even spiraling around themselves. Funkiana (Tillandsia funkiana) is a tiny species, growing only about 2 inches high, making it agreat choice for a terrarium or a desktop plant. As with so many air plant varieties, the leaves will turn red as it gets ready to flower. The inflorescence is also red, with yellow flowers.

  • Native Area: Venezuela
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 1–2 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

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• 21 of 25

  Gardneri (Tillandsia gardneri)

  

  Gardneri (Tillandsia gardneri) looks a bit like a small yucca, with pale grayish leaves that taper to a point. It's a larger air plant, growing up to12 inches tall. This species would be a good choice if you can't provide the bright light and warm temperatures most air plants prefer. It's very forgiving but still needs plenty of moisture.

  • Native Area: Trinidad and Tobago,Colombia, easternBrazil, Venezuela
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 4–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 22 of 25

  Ball Moss (Tillandsia recurvata)

  

  Tillandsia recurvatagoes by the common name small ball moss or ball moss. It has more of a nest shape, with a mass of slender, arching gray-green leaves and a tall lavender flower spike.This air plant often naturalizes in the Southeastern United States, and ithas the very peculiar habit of allowing its seeds to germinate while still in the seed pod. Thus, it's very easy to propagate.

  • Native Area: Southeastern U.S., Central America, Chile to northern Argentina
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 2–6 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 23 of 25

  'Pink Bronze' (Tillandsia stricta 'Pink Bronze')

  

  With a typical pineapple-type rosette of leaves, 'Pink Bronze' will develop a hint of pinky-bronze coloring if placed in strong, bright light. But it's the huge pink and purple flowers that steal the show here. This air plant is popular as a single specimen in small teardrop terrariums.

  • Native Area: Trinidad and Tobago, South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 6–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

• 24 of 25

  'Whitestar' (Tillandsia ixioides x T. recurvifolia 'Whitestar')

  

  'Whitestar' is a genetic cross between Tillandsia ixioides and T. recurvifolia, however, it's much larger than either parent. The bracts are a rosy pink with flowers ranging from cream to yellow. The silver-gray leaves tend to curl, giving it a sense of movement.

  • Native Area: Nursery hybrid; parent species are native to South America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 6–12 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

  Continue to 25 of 25 below

• 25 of 25

  Xerographica (Tillandsia xerographica)

  

  For an air plant, xerographica (Tillandsia xerographica) has unusually wide, flat gray-green leaves that curl like ribbons. Much thinner new leaves sprout from the center of the rosette, but the broad outer ones make a great contrast in a display with smaller air plants. Withholding water causes the leaves to curl attractively.

  • Native Area: Mexico, Central America
  • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
  • Height: 6–15 inches
  • Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light; will tolerate some direct sun