How to Care for Air Plants: A Complete Guide
Air plants are a whimsical group of plants with spider-like leaves that unfurl from the center. They’re great for beginners, as they’re relatively low-maintenance and can add some major flair to any room. There are more than 100 types of air plants coming in an array of colors and sizes, but they all have one curious thing in common — they require no soil to grow! Read on to learn more about how to care for air plants along with a few varieties to try.
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What Are Air Plants?
Air plants are evergreen perennials native to Central and South America as well as the southern U.S. Unlike most plants, air plants need no soil to thrive because they get all of their nutrients and water from the air. In the wild, they have a knack for clinging to whatever surface they can find, including telephone wires, tree branches, bare rocks or bark. This flowering species in the Bromeliaceae family has bright flowers that attract pollinators like moths, hummingbirds and bats.
There are several advantages to adopting an air plant for your home. For one, they’re known for being low maintenance (not to mention quite interesting to look at). They also release oxygen at night, making them super air purifiers. Plus, they’re non-toxic to pets and people.
How to Water Air Plants
Air plants may not need soil, but they do need water. There are two main methods to hydrate your air plants — soaking and misting:
If you decide to soak your air plants, just fill a sink or bowl with water and let them bathe for 30 to 60 minutes. After removing the plants, dry them completely by turning them upside down on a clean cloth or paper towel, which will help drain excess moisture. You can also speed the process by running a fan on low, which will gently blow dry your air plant’s tresses.
Meanwhile, misting is another great way to deliver water to your air plant. Just fill a spray bottle with water and mist away.
Keep in mind that the method you choose should take into consideration your climate as well as the type of air plant you have. As a rule of thumb, most air plants that have a lot of trichomes (small, fuzzy white hairs that cover the leaves of the plant) will do better with misting or a quick dunking, while those with bright green leaves and less trichomes prefer a soaking. For instance, you should not soak the Tillandsia tectorum, which features abundantly fuzzy leaves. Instead, opt for misting.
If you’re using tap water, remember to leave it sitting overnight before letting it touch your air plant. This will allow any chlorine to evaporate. If your air plant is flowering, it’s also important to protect the bloom from water — wetting it will shorten its bloom time. You can keep it dry by holding the plant during soaking to keep the flower above water level or covering the bloom with your finger when misting.
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How Often Should You Water Air Plants?
Water frequency will vary greatly based on the type of air plant you have. Xeric air plants (the ones with lots of trichomes) need less frequent soaking since they’re accustomed to growing in drier climates. Meanwhile, Mesic varieties (the ones with fewer trichomes) prefer humidity, so they might need more frequent soaking.
If you start to notice rotting leaves dark in color near the base of the plant, mushy roots or yellowing leaves, you’re guilty of overwatering the plant. The good news is that you may be able to salvage it. Simply remove any damaged or diseased parts with sanitized shears, place the plant in a sunny spot and cross your fingers!
Air plants go dormant in winter, so it’s a good idea to lay off watering through the season.
How Much Light Do Air Plants Need?
Generally, bright, filtered light is the way to go with air plants. They can even take a little bit of direct sun in the winter (this is a no-no in the summer, however, as it can burn the plant’s leaves). Your plant should do well with a few hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. There are a few exceptions like Xerographica, which can tolerate direct sunlight.
Ideal Temperature and Humidity
Because air plants reign in tropical locations, they thrive in temperatures between about 55 to 90 degrees. They can survive in lower temperatures (but will not thrive) and are hardy to about 45 degrees.
In terms of humidity, you might want to mist your air plant or keep it near a humidifier (or even inside your bathroom). This extra dose of humidity could be especially helpful in the winter when most people are pumping out warm, dry air to heat their homes.
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Feeding Air Plants
You can boost your air plant’s health by feeding it orchid plant food, diluted to half strength. Mist the entire plant, ensuring all its leaves are coated but not soaked. You can do this once per month during the blooming season and once every other month during the rest of the year.
How to Prune Air Plants
Trim your air plant once a year to remove dead or yellowing leaves. This will help encourage new growth. You should also cut dead flowers from your plant.
Selecting an Air Plant and Display
Whether you want to go big or small, super curly or straight, there’s an air plant for you. Some popular options to try include Tillandsia Usneoides (Spanish moss), the massive Tillandsia Xerographica and the cool, if not messy Tillandsia Butzii.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to how to display your air plant. You can put it inside a macrame plant hanger, atop a shallow bowl or vase, in a moss wall display, protruding from a stone planter or inside an open terrarium. You can even pair it with other houseplants by simply sticking the air plant in the pot. The air plant will benefit from increased humidity and filtered sunlight.