What are bromeliads and tillandsias?
You may know them better by some of their common names: pineapple, air plant, earth star, vase plant and flaming sword. They are specialized members of the lily family with flowers and/or foliage that make them attractive pot plants. They are interesting for the indoor gardener because of their fascinating habits and colors. Their special adaptations to their native climates make them good indoor plants. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the western hemisphere where they made a number of very clever adaptations that helped them make the most of their surroundings and climate. For instance, many bromeliads live far off the ground and their roots are adapted for holding on, not gathering moisture and nutrients. Many developed the ability to absorb nutrients from rainwater captured in the central rosette of leaves. Others trap moisture from the air and gather nutrients from the pieces of debris that fall on their perches. The Spanish moss you see dripping from live oa
