Did you know many plants can grow in the bathroom? We’ll cover the best houseplants that can thrive in low-light bathrooms, but would also grow in moderately lit bathrooms.

Pothos Plants

Boston Ferns

Bird's Nest Ferns

ZZ Plants

Snake Plants

Philodendrons

Cast Iron Plants

Dracaenas

Aglaonemas

Peace Lilies

Lucky Bamboo

English Ivy

Spider Plants

Air Plants

Orchids

Aloe Plants

Houseplants add a touch of greenery and a serene ambiance to any space, but we commonly don’t think of having houseplants in the bathroom. However, a bathroom - whether it offers low light or bright indirect light, is a great space for humidity-loving plants! 

Placing your indoor plants in the bathroom makes them easy to care for while adding a calming vibe for your next spa night. 
Bathrooms can come with a variety of different light conditions, so we’ll cover the best houseplants that can thrive in low-light bathrooms, but would also grow in moderately lit bathrooms.

You may, as most folks do, have a dark bathroom. Most bathrooms don’t come with big windows - even if there is a windowsill, it tends to be very small. 

If your bathroom has no windows, fear not - you can still grow plants with the help of artificial light, like our regular light bulbs. 

Although plants prefer sunlight, regular light bulbs can provide the same benefits as sunlight to plants that are tolerant of lower light conditions such as pothos or peace lilies.  

We’ll cover a few of the best plants for dark bathrooms below.

Pothos, scientifically referred to as Epipremnum aureum, are one of the most popular and easiest houseplants to grow. They are fairly forgiving of all kinds of water, soil, and light conditions.  

They can thrive in low light, medium light, and bright light conditions making them a perfect choice for any bathroom, hanging baskets, or windowsill. The most important thing to keep in mind with pothos plants for low light conditions is you’ll want to pick ones that are deep green in colors such as the Jade pothos or Neon pothos.

The darker the foliage, the more chlorophyll the plant has and the less light it needs to thrive. 

Variegated pothos varieties that have streaks of white or light green typically prefer brighter light conditions and may need the support of a grow light if grown in a no-light bathroom. You can always look at replacing your fluorescent bulbs with grow light bulbs instead. 

Ferns are another great option for low light or no light conditions. The Boston Fern, scientifically known as Nephrolepis exaltata, is a tropical plant that doesn’t require a lot of sunlight. It thrives best in warm and high humidity environments making them a perfect choice for a bathroom.

Boston fern produces sword-shaped, green-blue foliage, but keep in mind it is a slow grower, especially in lower light conditions. You’ll want to make sure that you keep your Boston fern’s soil consistently moist which shouldn’t be too hard if you’re keeping it in your bathroom.

Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) is another great, easy-care fern that can thrive in low light conditions. Similar to the Boston Fern, Bird’s Nest Ferns have a slow growth rate, but this Fern’s fronds can grow up to 5 feet in length! If you have a spacious bathroom, a Bird’s Nest fern can be a great option for a corner to fill up space. 

They prefer to be grown in loamy, moist, and well-draining soil making bathrooms a great place especially if you live in a naturally dry region.

ZZ Plant, also known as Zanzibar Gem plant or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. ZZ plants are characterized by their waxy green leaves growing form stems and a potato-like rhizome underneath the soil. ZZ plants don’t need much water and store water in their rhizome so they are best left ignored.

In its native climate, ZZ plants are used to having consistent moisture in the air. Although ZZ plants don’t need much water, they aren’t hurt by the moderate humidity levels that a bathroom can provide.

ZZ plants can thrive in different types of light conditions from natural light to indirect sunlight to low light. They are very forgiving houseplants.

Keep in mind that ZZ plants are toxic to pets (dogs and cats), so keep them away from your furry friends!

Similar to the ZZ Plant, Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) are also very low maintenance and easy care plants. This plant grows erect, stiff, and sword-like leaves that come in a variety of shades of creamy green to deep green to variegated stripes and patterns. 

They grow in varied light conditions preferring indirect light but are also happy to adjust to low light conditions. They don’t care much for humidity, but moderate humidity in the bathroom won’t hurt the plant.

Snake plants are great beginner plants because they can easily be left alone and still thrive. It’s important to plant these in well-draining, sandy soil.

Oftentimes confused with the pothos, Philodendrons are trailing or climbing plants that are low-maintenance and can tolerate lower light conditions. If you’re interested in a Philodendron, we recommend picking ones with deep green foliage such as the heartleaf philodendron vs variegated or lighter foliage as those will thrive best in low light. 

Variegated philodendrons contain less chlorophyll which means they’ll need more sunlight than their green counterparts to grow. 

Native to the tropics, Philodendrons love high humidity and warm temperatures making the bathroom a great option.

Cast Iron Plant also known as Aspidistra elatior is a less known but popular option for dim bathrooms, especially as a replacement for the Bird of Paradise plant. Like snake plants, the Cast iron plant is nearly indestructible making it a great beginner plant too!

This beautiful houseplant produces arching, lance-shaped leaves that are dark green in color with a glossy texture and overtone. They’re a great aesthetic alternative to the Bird of Paradise plant that similarly has lance-shaped broad leaves. 
Being a low light tolerant plant, the Cast Iron plant is also a slow grower reaching a mature height of up to 2 feet. 

The good news is this plant is pretty disease and pest-resistant!

Dracaena genus of tropical houseplants and trees contains many cultivars like the common Snake plant mentioned earlier. Dracaenas can often be confused with Cordylines which are at times sold as Dracaenas but these two are completely different plants. 

Before Sansevierias became part of the Dracaena genus, Dracaenas plants were characterized by grass, spear-shaped leaves that grow from a thick, cane-like stem. When grown indoors, they can reach up to 8 feet in height. 

Dracaenas love consistently moist soil, warm temperatures, and moderate humidity which makes them a great choice as bathroom plants. Although they thrive best in bright, indirect light, they’ll tolerate lower light conditions and grow much slower. You can always supplement with a grow light to help boost growth.

Unfortunately, Dracaenas are toxic to dogs and cats due to saponins.

Chinese Evergreen plants, or also known as Aglaonemas, can provide a touch of color to a sea of green in a bathroom. Aglaonemas are popular low-light plants for beginners because they are low maintenance and very easy to care for. 

They are grown for their foliage which can come in a variety of colors - from shades of green to a variegated mix of green, pink, white, orange, and yellow. 

They grow best in well-drained soil and prefer to grow in dimmer light conditions. Because it loves warm temperatures and high humidity levels, Chinese Evergreens are a perfect choice for a windowless bathroom.

Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) are evergreen plants native to the forest floors of the tropics growing faithfully under the dappled sunlight of jungle canopies. They start to bloom with white flowers in the early summer and continue through the year if cared for properly. 

Like other houseplants, they prefer moderate sunlight but can also thrive in low-light areas making them perfect for a dim bathroom. Plant them in well-draining, organic-rich soil and keep the soil consistently moist. Since they are native to the tropics, they also love warm temperatures and high humidity. 

As an added bonus, Peace Lilies are also air-purifying removing toxins in the air.

Be careful with furry friends as Peace Lilies are toxic to pets.

If you’re looking for a unique plant that’s less foliage driven and you’re interested in bringing good luck and serenity into your bathroom, then Lucky Bamboo is a perfect choice.

 According to Chinese traditions, lucky bamboo has a variety of meanings depending on the number of stalks in the arrangements. Two bamboo stalks represent love, while seven represent good health. 

They prefer to grow in lower light spaces and in consistently moist soil that’s well aerated. Since it’s native to tropical climates, Lucky Bamboo prefers warm temperatures and moderate humidity.

Unfortunately, lucky bamboo is also toxic to dogs and cats.

English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a woody vine that grows as a ground cover or climbs up walls and fences when grown outdoors. If you’re looking to adorn your bathroom with trailing plants in hanging baskets, English Ivy would be a great choice. 

Unfortunately, English Ivy is also toxic to dogs and cats when ingested.

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are great beginner plants perfect for hanging baskets. They are super easy to grow and tolerate a wide range of soil, water, and light conditions.

Plant them in well-drained soil and ideally place them near a bathroom window that receives bright, indirect light and they’ll thrive well. They are also tolerant to dim light conditions, but will grow slower than usual.

They prefer to let their soil dry in between waterings and they are more tolerant of cooler temperatures but moderate humidity.

Fortunately, Spider plants are not toxic to dogs or cats!

If you’re looking for an easy care option that doesn’t require pots or soil, then Air plants (tillandsia) are the right fit for you. Part of the bromeliad family, air plants come in all shapes and sizes reaching up to a foot or two in length, and produce colorful blooms during their growing season in summer to early Fall.

Given the moisture levels in the bathroom, you probably won’t need to do much but leave your air plants alone in the bathroom. The moisture in the bathroom air will supplement and keep your air plants satisfied. 

If you feel like your air plants are drying out in the bathroom, you can submerge in water for 2-3 hours about every two weeks. 

Although often considered a difficult plant to care for, Orchids can really add a serene vibe to your bathroom alongside a pop of color with their beautiful and colorful blooms. Orchids prefer bright, diffused light making them a perfect candidate for the typically smaller bathroom windows.

Depending on the variety, Orchids generally prefer warmer temperatures and high humidity environments. However, you would be smart to plant them in well-draining soil with lots of orchid bark or alternatively, use LECA balls. Orchids require proper drainage and overly soggy soil that could come as a result of a highly humid bathroom could make your plant susceptible to root rot.

The good news is that these are not toxic to dogs and cats!

If you’re looking for something different than foliage, succulents like aloe vera can also be a great option for your bathroom space. Aloe vera plants contain nearly 300 species with the most common being Aloe barbadensis miller. 

These tropical succulents feature thick, lance-shaped leaves with jagged edges. They are typically colored green, but some varieties can add pops of red, purple, orange, or white colors. 

They do prefer moderate to bright indirect light, so they may not be the best option for a dim bathroom. If you have a small window in your bathroom, place your Aloe plant there for best growth. 

Aloe vera in particular also has medicinal properties that are soothing to the skin. A great addition if you’re planning a self-care day.

Unfortunately, Aloe vera is toxic to dogs and cats.

Having trouble finding the right plant for your bathroom? Our team of plant experts can help pair you with the right plants. Reach out via chat or email support@enterneverland.com.

Best Houseplants for Bathrooms No Matter The Light

Air plants (Tillandsia) are some of the easiest plants to grow indoors and out. They don't require soil or really a container - you can place them on a shelf, on a desk, or in a hanging air plant container.

Editor Note: Shop our selection of Giant & Large Air Plants here.

Depending on the area you live in, air plants might require frequent watering. In Los Angeles, for example, the heat dries out moisture fairly quickly requiring a nice air plant soak every week. If you're generally in warm areas with high humidity, you probably won't need to mist or water your air plants as frequently opting for once every two weeks.

Although most of us, when we think of air plants, we think about smaller-sized air plants (2-5 inches). However, did you know that air plants can get much taller - even reaching 12-24 inches indoors and up to 7 feet in the wild? Here at Neverland, we offer a selection of Giant air plants that can reach up to 12-24 inches. 

Shop Large Air Plants For Sale

Large Air Plants: Selecting & Caring For Large Air Plants

How to shop for the best succulent gifts, cacti, and terrarium sets for loved ones.

When you’re looking to give a gift to plant lovers, there’s nothing better than succulent plants. They are low-maintenance, easy to care for, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Potted succulents can make for a great centerpiece on a coffee table, a bookshelf, or a windowsill. 

Beyond that, they can be pieces of art in succulent arrangements or perfect additions to succulent terrariums. These unique succulent gifts won’t disappoint the special ones in your life. 

If you’re looking for easy care alternatives, you can also consider cactus gifts or air plants.

To grow successfully, succulents need full sun or bright light, low amounts of water, and that’s pretty much it. We recommend planting your succulents in terracotta pots with drainage holes because they wick away excess moisture. 

Proper light is also key as your succulent will likely perish if it’s not receiving at least 6-8 hours of bright sunlight a day.

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Looking for succulents or cacti for a specific occasion? Here are a few ideas for succulent gifts below.

Succulent Arrangements & Succulent Terrariums

Succulent arrangements and succulent wreaths make for great options as centerpieces in the home. If you’re looking to add a variety of colors to your space, succulent arrangements can add character.

Live succulents make great additions to terrariums given their small size. They paid well with other small plants, and due to their low maintenance are a fan-favorite for terrariums. You can pair many succulents with cacti to vary the texture and feel of your terrarium. If you’d like more ideas for terrarium plants, checkout our guide here on how to create a DIY terrarium.

Succulent Arrrangements

Succulent arrangements and succulent wreaths make for a great option as birthday gifts. You can go for a classic echeveria succulent or choose from a variety of cactus plants. Succulents and cacti tend to be slow growers, but there’s a reason why they’re best sellers. 

There’s no better way to show appreciation for your mom than to give her a living gift. Whether your mom is an expert gardener, or just getting started, succulents are a set-it-and-forget-it type of houseplant. We recommend opting for echeverias, haworthias, or inch succulents as they have colorful varieties so you can show your appreciation in a unique way.

Although for most, we don’t think of Christmas as the season for houseplants, there are many low-maintenance succulents and cacti that make for perfect gifts. Christmas cactus, so aptly named, is a great option for the winter time. We also recommend Christmas Aloe with it’s variegated red and green colors.


Looking for other types of plant gifts? For those who have a little bit of a green thumb, you can opt in for potted houseplants as gifts. If you have a gardener in your life, consider giving them a growing kit. Sometimes simplicity is key, so you can avoid the pots and soil by opting for air plants as gifts.

At Neverland we partner with independent merchants across the USA to deliver you the widest selection of succulent plants and gifts. Each of our merchants puts endless effort in growing and caring for their succulents and cacti, carefully packaging them to get delivered straight to your door. 

All of our plants are covered under a 30 day trust guarantee, so you can feel confident with your shopping experience.

Sending Succulent Gifts, Cacti Gifts, & Terrariums as Gifts

We’ll cover in more detail a shortlist of pet-safe house plants we recommend if you’re looking to add greenery to your space. Although most of these houseplants are considered pet-safe, we don’t encourage your pet to nibble on these indoor plants as they can cause discomfort.

If you’re a pet mom or dad, you know just how important it is to consider pet safety when you’re purchasing your plants. Although some plants are toxic to your furry friends, there are many that have been tested and deemed safe over time by ASPCA. We’ll cover in more detail a shortlist of pet-safe house plants we recommend if you’re looking to add greenery to your space. Although most of these houseplants are considered pet-safe, we don’t encourage your pet to nibble on these indoor plants as they can cause discomfort.

At Neverland, we pride ourselves on helping you find the right pet-safe plants. You can filter through any search for non-toxic plants for both your cats and dogs. If you’re not sure about a plant you’re interested in purchasing, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we’ll help.

Below is a short-list of our most popular houseplants for pet owners as well as beginners. This is not an exhaustive list, but we hope to bring you one step closer to finding the right plants for you.

Peperomias are a great option for pet parents. Peperomias includes hundreds of varieties and they are primarily grown for their foliage. A few popular varieties include Watermelon Peperomia, Peperomia Rosso, Peperomia Ginny, Peperomia Obtusifolia, Peperomia Prostata.

Calathea is a genus of plants commonly grown for their foliage which comes in a dazzling array of colors, textures, and shapes. They are also commonly known as prayer plants, peacock plants, or rattlesnake plants. They are also known for their leaf movement which is aligned with the circadian rhythm, so you’ll see their leaves move up and down throughout the day. 

Calatheas are generally finicky to care for due to their water and humidity requirements. Their soil needs to be consistently moist without being soggy and they have high humidity needs. They thrive best in moderate to bright diffused sunlight. With proper care, they’ll reward you with beautiful foliage.

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If you’re looking for a colorful, blooming option that’s also pet-friendly, then African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is a great option. These low-growing, small plants can bloom several times a year and come in a dazzling variety of colors and leaf shapes. Similar to orchids, African violets have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but with proper care, these slow-growing houseplants can become one of your best centerpieces. They prefer to grow in well-draining, but consistently moist soil in partial sunlight (bright, indirect light).

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), commonly known as a Sword Fern is a popular fern species native to tropical areas around the globe. When grown indoors, Boston Ferns are added as accents to spaces giving them a classic 70’s look. They grow sword-shaped, blue-green foliage sprouting tiny leaflets and growing erect arching only as fronds grow larger. These ferns are also slow growers, so you’ll want to invest into a large fern if you’re looking to fill a large space.

Bromeliads are exciting choices due to their variety of bold colors and tropical appearance. They are low maintenance plants that add texture and character to a living space. Although most don’t know this, air plants and pineapple plants belong to the bromeliad family! Bromeliads are prized for their thick, glossy foliage stemming from a central rosette. As bromeliads mature, they produce flowers with a gorgeous variety of dramatic colors from pink, red, to yellow. They prefer consistently moist soil and bright indirect light to thrive.

Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is grown for it’s unique look and good fortune meaning in feng shui. They are typically sold with braided trunks and produce glossy, evergreen, hand shaped leaves. They can also be grown as bonsais and are generally low maintenance, adapting to most light, soil, and water conditions. They prefer to grow in bright indirect sunlight and need consistently moist soil. 

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata, Nolina recurvata) is not a true palm, although it looks like one. Ponytail palm is actually a succulent meaning its drought tolerant unlike other types of palms like Cat Palm or Parlor palm. Ponytail palm thrives best in full sun and has low watering needs. 

👉 How to Grow and Care For Ponytail Palm

If you’d like to add a tropical feel to your space while maintaining a pet-safe environment, then look no further than the Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens). Native to Madagascar, Areca Palms grow in tall, clumping palms reminiscent of bamboo. When grown outdoors, they can be used as privacy screens while when grown indoors, they make for a great option for well-lit to moderately lit corners or to line hallways or create separators in large spaces. 

They are grown best in well-draining soil and thrive in moderate to bright indirect light. These palms are low maintenance and won’t require much trimming or pruning, although you may want to remove a dying frond every once in a while.

Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) is an easy-care fern growing a series of spoon-shaped, green fronds that arise from a natural rosette. These ferns can grow up to 5 feet long making mature birds nest ferns a great option to fill space and corners. However, keep in mind that this variety is slow growing. They prefer to grow in moderate sunlight to shade making them a great low-light option. Grow them in loamy, well-draining soil in a pot with drainage holes. If you live in USDA zones 11-12, you can grow them outdoors on your patio year-round.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a great alternative to the Areca Palm for adding a tropical feel to your room. This indoor palm grows in attractive clumps with lightly textured trunks. Their fronds are a popular choice in flower arrangements and wreaths because their leaves can survive for over a month after being cut from the plant. They are, however, slow growers taking a couple of years to reach their full maturity of anywhere between 3-6 feet tall indoors. They prefer to grow in bright, indirect light in well-draining soil. 

Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is a beautiful foliage houseplant with variegated leaves that make it stand out from most other plants. Popular varieties of this plant feature green leave with mottled pink or white spots. Like other plants on this list, Polka dot plants are easy to grow and have a moderate growth rate. They are compact plants even at maturity making them solid options for shelves, office tables, hanging baskets, terrariums, or coffee tables. They thrive best in moderate sun exposure when planted in well-drained soil.

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) is one of the most popular houseplants and is commonly referred to as friendship plant or UFO plant. Pileas are grown for their unique foliage. UFO plant produces coin-shaped foliage off of a main, woody-looking stem. They prefer to grow in bright, indirect light and in well-draining soil. Make sure to plant them in containers with drainage holes.

Rattlesnake plant (Goeppertia insignis) is also primarily grown for its distinct foliage. As the plant grows, its leaves create a wavy pattern along the edges with variegated shades of greens. They also have eye-catching under foliage with shades of deep purple-red. 

These plants are compact at maturity growing up to 1.5-2 feet tall. Rattlesnake plants can be finicky because they require consistently moist soil. These plants prefer to grow in moderate sunlight but can tolerate some shade. 

Staghorn Ferns are a great option for pet owners and they add a unique look due to their deer or elk-like appearance. Since Staghorn Ferns are epiphytic, they can be grown atop of mediums such as wood blocks making them unique interior design decorations. They can be difficult to grow because they require frequent watering especially during the summer months. They prefer to grow in indirect sunlight, but can also tolerate partial shade.

Best Pet Friendly Plants For Cats and Dogs

Air plants (Tillandsia spp.) are adorable, no-fussy, and attention-grabbers like pets and more than any plants in your houseplant collection. It is because they are the most unusual-looking plants, requiring little care and no soil as their growth medium.

Air plants (Tillandsia spp.) are adorable, no-fussy, and attention-grabbers like pets and more than any plants in your houseplant collection. It is because they are the most unusual-looking plants, requiring little care and no soil as their growth medium. They are native to Central and South America and West Indies and add a pleasing appeal to bridal bouquets, wall art, and home decor with their strap-like leaves.

Introduction

What are Air Plants?

Quick Care Guide

How to Care For Tillandsia Air Plants

💧 Water

☀️ Sunlight

🌡️ Temperature and Humidity

🌻 Fertilizer

☢️ Toxicity

How to Propagate Air Plant

Types of Air Plants

How to Display Air Plants

Air Plant Care Tips

Where to Buy Air Plants

Air plants belong to the Bromeliaceae family (also the family of bromeliads that can be terrestrial and epiphytic and exhibit attractive forms, leaf colors, and long-season blooms). 

Let’s learn all about air plants (Tillandsia spp.) and how to grow and care for them as indoor houseplants and outdoors.

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Tillandsia Lindenii Air plant with purple flower.

Air plants or Tillandsia spp. are fascinating houseplants with stiff leaves that grow in a rosette pattern with new leaves developing from the center of the plant. Their rigid and strappy leaves look like tentacles of exotic sea creatures such as sea cucumbers, thus giving these plants a unique appearance. In addition, they have a distinctive growth habit (chiefly epiphytic) with a reputation for being low-maintenance plants.

Therefore, these epiphytes are gaining more popularity as indoor plants among novice gardeners and experts. They grow by attaching themselves to the trunks and branches of other plants (without harming them, unlike mistletoe, a plant parasite). Or these epiphytes sit on other structures like rocky substrates for support. 

Air plants hold on to the hosts or surfaces with their roots solely used for attachment rather than nutrient absorption. As their common name suggests, they get all their nutrients and moisture from the atmosphere instead of the soil. For this purpose, air plants have developed specialized structures on leaf surfaces known as trichomes. These tiny hairs trap moisture and dust particles, providing the epiphytes water and nutrients. 

In their habitats, Central America (Guatemala) and South America (Argentina), air plants produce tiny colorful blooms (less than two inches) in mid-summer and late winter. After flowering, the mature plant will die, but the new plants will develop from offsets or pups that grow at the mother plant's base. While as an indoor houseplant, they rarely bloom.

Air plants are grouped into two types based on their wild environment: xeric and mesic air plants. Based on their natural habitat, the care requirements of these air plant types also vary whether you display them indoors or outdoors.

Xeric air plants are from desert climates and have more trichomes on their leaves, thus appearing more silver-gray and scaly. They grow best in more sun locations and are pretty forgiving to lower humidity and less watering (drought-tolerant). 

While mesic air plants are native to the rainforests of South America and need higher humidity, frequent watering, and filtered sunlight. Their leaves are deeper green with fewer trichomes and more curved than the xeric plant foliage, which is broader to allow more surface for nutrient and water absorption. 

Both these air plant types are ideal for growing and maintaining indoors for displays in glass terrariums and wall art, but xeric plants are more popular among gardeners. Because they are more resilient and highly adaptable to poor growing conditions with infrequent watering.

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Beautiful Tillandsia (Air Plant) Trees for home and garden decoration.

The Tillandsia air plants do not need potting soil as their growth medium or nutrient source but obtain their food from the atmosphere (that’s why the common name air plant). They can be grown anywhere in the home or outdoors that receives bright, curtain-filtered light with good air circulation and warm temperatures. 

Place them on special hangers, set them in dishes for kitchen table tops, or grow the air plants in terrariums while ensuring the bright filtered light and ideal air circulation are just in the right amounts. 

Unlike other houseplants, the watering process of these odd-looking plants is very different. They can be watered through misting, rinsing, and soaking.

The misting of air plants to the run-off point is good but needs application every other day and, sometimes, does not provide enough moisture to all leaves. 

When watering the air plants, be aware not to use softened and tap water because they are high in salts and minerals that can quickly burn their foliage and clog the trichomes. So it is best to use rainwater or bottled water.

Do not use tap water when soaking your air plants.

Another method is to dunk the air plants in water for 30 minutes to one hour once a week. Then gently shake out the plant to remove excess water. Now place them on a paper towel for 1 to 2 hours for complete drying; otherwise, this foliage moisture will lead to rotting.

After watering, shift the air plants to their growing locations and maintain good air circulation for healthy growth and leaf drying for the next watering. 

Air plants need bright light, but not direct sun for their healthy leaf clusters. So, the ideal spot for the indoor plant is an east, south, or west-facing window where it will receive filtered bright morning sun to produce the best foliage.

If growing outdoors, place your air plants under the canopy of trees for sun protection, dappled shade is best. It will provide the ideal lighting for the best growth.

Tillandsia species are the plants of tropical climates that thrive best in warmer temperatures with higher humidity and good air circulation. So, maintain the temperature range between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit indoors for healthy growth.

These epiphytic plants can tolerate temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but a highly humid environment and proper air circulation are necessary. In colder regions, if your air plants are outdoors for summer, bring them back indoors as the temperature drops below 58 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unlike other houseplants, air plants require temperature fluctuations to grow and flower.

As houseplants, air plants require medium fertilizer applications. Fertilize them from spring to autumn once a month with all-purpose houseplant food or fertilizer made for bromeliads such as orchids and Spanish moss.

Fortunately, these unique-looking air plants are not toxic to humans and pets. Still, keeping them out of the reach of curious pets is wiser.  

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Air plants grow from tiny airborne seeds in their natural environments. These viable seeds only produce when enough cross-pollination occurs. The indoor plants can be propagated through offsets that form at the mother plant's base and are also known as pups. 

To reproduce the new plants, separate the offsets from the parent plant and place them on a tray or any other surface. Ensure the surfaces are dry and in bright light locations with good air circulation.

Some of the most unique and easy-care air plant types among 500 species available are given below:

Tillandsia bulbosa is a flowering bromeliad that produces small, soft green leaves that sprout from a central bulb. It has fewer trichomes, meaning a mesic plant that needs higher humidity, frequent watering, and filtered sunlight.

Tillandsia Caput-medusae is native to Mexico and Central America. Like Tillandsia bulbosa, this epiphyte lives in a symbiotic relationship with black ants in the wild. It provides shelter to ants in its bulbous bottom leaves, and in return, they fertilize the plant. 

It produces the most unusual-looking leaves that resemble venomous snakes, thus adding a statement to indoor spaces with its snake-like leaves and bulbous bottom. In addition, it is a xeric air plant that needs more sunlight, lower humidity, and infrequent watering.

Tillandsia Xerographica is more beautiful and king-sized than other bromeliad air plants. It is also known as Xeros and is native to southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. 

It features the most distinctive leaves that appear silver and spiral around as they grow, thus giving the plant a striking look. This plant is extremely low-maintenance and needs bright indirect light. It serves the best foliage houseplant for home decor and floral arrangements.

Tillandsia ionantha is the most decorative air plant with thin arching leaves that grow rosette, with new leaves growing from the center of the plant. It blooms in mid-summer and produces deep pink plume-like bracts and violet-blue flowers.

Tillandsia butzii is tiny species that native to Costa Rica and Mexico. It creates the more thin and tentacle-like leaves that emerge from a purple bulbous base, thus making it the most attractive air plant. It grows best in the USDA hardiness zone 9 to 11 with a mature growth of 8 inches.

Tillandsia Streptophylla is also called Shirley Temple for its curling leaves. With its unique and irregular curling of thick dark green leaves, it is a must-have xeric plant in offices and homes. It is an easy care plant that, being a xeric plant, needs more bright light and is drought-tolerant.

Tillandsia Tectorum is native to Peru and Ecuador and grows on dry and rocky substrates (it is a lithophyte). Its long arching leaves are covered with trichomes that give it a silvery appearance. Like all air plants, it is a not-fussy plant that can withstand direct sun conditions while taking its food from the environment.

Tillandsia ‘Aeranthos’ is native to southern Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It forms greyish-green leaves in a rosette with dark blue flower spikes that appears from pink bracts in summer. With its flowers and narrowly triangular leaves, Tillandsia ‘Aeranthos’ is an exciting foliage plant in bridal bouquets.

Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneodies), also known as black moss or vegetable horsehair, is native to the West Indies, Central, and South America. It appears as a beared-like mass due to its thread-like stems covered with tiny 1 to 3 inches long leaves. It makes an excellent houseplant and grows best in bright light and humid environments like a bathroom.

A full grown Tillandsia Airplant isolated on a white background.

With their epiphytic growth habit, air plants make great use in interior decorations such as creative displays in glass terrariums and globes. They can be displayed by attaching to artistic plant stands because they grow mainly by holding on to dry surfaces. 

You can place them in decorative dishes for display on kitchen tables. In outdoor settings, set the air plant in an open terrarium with crushed gravel and hang it under the tree canopy with part shade lighting conditions.

These are the top critical factors for good air plant care to keep them happy and thriving for years.

Maintain a wise watering schedule based on the growing season and needs of the air plants. So, dip them in water once a week for one hour from spring to autumn and reduce it to every two weeks in winter.

Fertilize your air plants with plant food specially made for bromeliads once a month. Make sure to dilute the recommended dosage to ¼ strength and mix it in water to provide hydration and nutrition simultaneously. 