Where Can I Buy Air Plants? Your Complete Guide to Purchasing Tillandsias

Air plants, also known as tillandsias, have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Their sculptural shapes, minimal care requirements, and ability to thrive without soil make them an ideal plant for both novice and expert indoor gardeners But where exactly can you purchase these intriguing epiphytes? This guide will provide tips on the best places to buy air plants, both online and in physical stores

Online Retailers Offer Convenience and Selection

One of the most convenient ways to buy air plants is through online retailers that specialize in tillandsias. Purchasing plants online provides a few key advantages:

• Wide selection Online air plant stores have access to nurseries and suppliers across the country and around the world This allows them to offer a diverse array of tillandsia species and cultivars that you may not find at local shops

• Rare varieties Many online sellers carry hard-to-find air plant species and unique cultivars. For air plant collectors looking for rare finds, specialty online shops are often the best source.

• Convenience: Purchasing air plants online means no traveling from store to store searching for the perfect plants. You can browse hundreds of options from the comfort of home and have your new plants shipped directly to your door.

• Competitive pricing: Online retailers can offer very competitively priced plants since they have lower overhead costs than brick-and-mortar shops. Buying air plants online is often more budget-friendly.

• Helpful plant care info: Reputable online air plant stores provide detailed descriptions and plant care instructions for each species they sell. This allows you to pick plants suited to your climate and growing conditions.

Some of the most popular online air plant retailers include:

• Air Plant Supply Co.: This shop offers free shipping on orders over $75 and has over 100 air plant species and supplies for creating displays.

• Air Plant City: Features greenhouse-grown plants and information on starting an air plant business. Provide wholesale ordering.

• The Sill: A plant delivery service that ships hardy air plants nationwide along with pots and plant care e-books.

• Etsy: Many Etsy shops sell air plants and arrangements. Focus on sellers with excellent reviews and policies on guaranteeing plant health.

When ordering air plants online, look for sellers that guarantee plant health and have robust shipping policies. Be sure to check shopper reviews to ensure a reputable retailer.

Local Plant Shops and Nurseries

Visiting a local independently-owned plant shop or nursery is another excellent way to purchase air plants. Here are some of the benefits of shopping in person:

• Handpick specific plants: You can carefully examine each plant to pick ones free of blemishes and in great health. Online you can’t inspect each plant.

• Immediate gratification: Buy a plant and take it home the same day instead of waiting for delivery.

• Try unique displays: Many local shops sell air plants creatively arranged in shells, driftwood, terrariums, and more. Online images don’t always capture these details.

• Get expert advice: Talk to the workers to get specific care and placement tips based on your climate and growing conditions.

• Support local businesses: Shopping at small, local plant stores helps support independent business owners in your community.

The selection at smaller shops can be more limited than online stores. Call ahead to ask if they carry air plants to avoid making a wasted trip. Search for plant nurseries in tropical areas for the widest selection.

Big box stores like IKEA and Target sell air plants, but the options are usually pretty basic. Still, for incredible deals on starter plants or bulk purchases, they can be a good source. Avoid purchasing plants that look poorly cared for.

Where to Find Air Plants in Nature

Searching for air plants in their natural habitat can be an incredibly rewarding adventure for die-hard tillandsia fans. Here are some of the top spots to find them in the wild:

• Florida: Several state parks have wild air plant trails you can hike to see them up close, like Corkscrew Sanctuary in Naples.

• California: Air plants grow in the trees along numerous hiking trails, including Topanga State Park near Los Angeles.

• Hawaii: Many hiking trails wind through rainforests filled with massive clusters of native air plants.

• Costa Rica: Guided hikes through protected rainforests offer sightings of air plants clinging to trees and rock faces.

• Mexico: The Yucatan Peninsula has air plant-filled jungles to explore. Guides can lead you to the best spots.

Unless you have special collecting permits, look but don’t take home wild air plants. Simply observing them in their natural environment is reward enough for most tillandsia lovers.

Key Things to Look for When Buying Air Plants

• Healthy foliage: Avoid plants with brown or yellowing leaves. All leaves should be full, vibrantly green, and free of blemishes.

• Established root system: Gently tug on larger air plants to ensure they have firmly anchored root systems and are not recently harvested.

• Proper size: Make sure the plant is large enough to establish well but also not overgrown and struggling in its container.

• Ideal shape: Pick plants with symmetrical shapes and new central growth (the area air plants bloom from). Misshapen and damaged plants can still thrive but may not look as attractive.

• Species suited to your climate: Research which varieties tolerate the humidity and temperatures in your region. Avoid super delicate ones if you’re a beginner.

• Display plan: Have an idea of where and how you want to arrange or mount your air plant before purchasing to get appropriate sizes and shapes.

By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to find gorgeous, healthy air plants to enhance your home or office. Air plants are addictive, so be prepared to accumulate a large collection once you discover how easy and rewarding they are to grow!