Growing Epiphytes in Your Home

Ever since I created Kokedama, I began to think about growing epiphytes. Epiphytes, sometimes referred to as air plants, are those plants that receive their water and nutrients needs from the air, and other surroundings.

Growing Epiphytes

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Take a look at this orchid from the Kokedama project I made last year. It is doing well, and getting ready to bloom again. Look at how the roots have made their way out of the moss ball.

Here’s another mini orchid growing in a pot. It also has a couple of “air roots” coming up and out of the pot. This is typical for orchids. In tropical rain forests  you can see orchids growing off tree limbs.

Another epiphyte that I recently purchased is a staghorn fern. You may have seen these beauties hanging from baskets or mounted on wood, which I definitely plan to do soon. In the meantime, here is great tutorial from The Impatient Gardener on how to Create A Hanging Planter for a Staghorn Fern. Or, if you like, try this Stag Horns on the Wall, from The Houseplant Guru.

I can’t decide if I want to try one of those tutorials, or since my orchid has done so well in it’s kokedama shape, I may just make another with the stag horn fern.

Finally, here’s a pretty blooming Tillandsia that I photographed at my sister’s place in Florida with my iphone. It looks so pretty in this shell they found on the beach.

I think the biggest issue with growing these guys is the moisture in the air. Many state misting as a good practice, but I really like to give all my houseplants a weekly soak, and that seems to work well for the epiphytes too.

Want More?

Here are a few great article from some of my gardening friends about the care of air plants:

How to Grow Air Plants – Empress of Dirt

How to Keep Air Plants Alive and Happy – Garden Therapy

Caring for Air Plants (Tillandsia) – House of Hawthornes

Get Creative with Air Plants – Our Fairfield Home and Garden