1.The Tillandsia phenomenon is to a certain extent reminiscent of another well-known plant activity.

2.Shown in photo gallery above: The Hanging Heart Aerium features Tillandsia usneoides 'El Normal,' a type of Spanish moss, and Tillandsia tenuifolia 'Blue Flower,' along with red reindeer moss accents and red twine for hanging.

3.The Tillandsia, or wild pine, grows on other trees, like the Misletoe, but takes little or no nourishment from them, having large buckets in its leaves to collect and retain the rain water.

4.Many of these are species of Tillandsia, which sit perched up on the small branches like birds.

5.The plant which performs this strange feat is the Tillandsia usneoides, indigenous to tropical America, and generally known as 'Spanish Moss'.

6.Relying on misting alone, he said, you risk cultivating “zombie Tillandsias” — silvery ghosts that somehow continue to look good months after their demise.

7.Dig Gardens This Santa Cruz standout has a wide assortment of tillandsias — air plants — in hanging planters, wall decor and terrariums.

8.In some parts, as we travelled on, we found the oak trees and many of the pines completely draped with hanging festoons of the grey moss-like Tillandsia usneoides, or "old man's beard."

9.Analysis of modern fog suggests this lighter nitrogen is favoured, and so the observed trend in the Tillandsia would strongly indicate the fogs of the Atacama have increased over time… with some complications.

10.The Dewdrop Aerium features Tillandsia usneoides 'El Normal' and Tillandsia tenuifolia 'Emerald Forest,' plus a red heart, reindeer moss accents and red twine for hanging.

11.But with Tillandsias in particular, Lara prefers dunking them in a bucket of water for a thorough soak.

12.And yet, a Santiago team has been able to trace the fog history of the Atacama Desert by studying Tillandsia plants.

13.This San Francisco favorite has a multitude of terrariums and tillandsias to satisfy any desire … to fill your home and patio with air plants.

14.Tillandsia stricta: “It’s a solid standby, hearty and prolific. It has green leaves with blue, pink or purple blooms that hummingbirds love.”

15.Spray, don’t soak Many people suggest soaking tillandsias, but the recommendations range anywhere from 30 minutes twice a week to 3 hours every month.

16.A similar but even more far-reaching process is exhibited by the Tillandsia as regards the three substances referred to above.

17.When discussing the plant in this respect we found as an instance 'worth a thousand, bearing all within itself the case of Tillandsia and more particularly the surprising appearance of phosphorus in it.

18.And it is more than just the Tillandsia that are benefiting.

19.Look for tillandsias at your local nursery, or visit tropiflora.com.

20.Tillandsia ionantha: “It’s cute and small in size, with leaves that blush red when it’s blooming.”