The majority of air plants may be found in humid rainforest settings, however some can also be found in less-than-ideal conditions. Air plants grow in trees, among rocks, deserts, rainforests, cliffs and rock faces, and even on cacti.
How much should an air plant cost?
Pistils Nursery sells Bulbosa Air Plants in small and large sizes, with prices ranging from $6 to $20 depending on the size.
Can you buy air plants online?
Online retailers such as Amazon, Etsy, and eBay sell air plants. Online purchases are normally delivered fast, and because they are supplied directly from the seller, they are in excellent condition. The disadvantage of purchasing plants online is that you cannot physically touch them or browse the inventory to determine the best one for you, but most vendors make it simple to select and decide.
Because plants are submerged in a sand-filled pot, shipping them can be difficult. To avoid a mess, the plant suppliers just ship everything in separate containers. When the pot and the soil arrive, for example, they are in separate containers. Because air plants are lightweight, they do not require soil to grow and do not create a lot of mess; you can simply transfer them to the pot once you receive them.
Amazon
Various plant providers on Amazon promise healthy and attractive plants. These plants normally come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can always return them and get your money back if you don’t like them or don’t get what you expected. The majority of Amazon orders arrive in 1 to 3 days, which is not a lengthy time at all. All plant orders include detailed care instructions so you can properly care for your plant.
Etsy
On Etsy, several sellers sell air plants in 5-packs. These air plants can be kept in terrariums or displayed in your garden. You don’t have to be overwhelmed when purchasing air plants. Keep the plants out of direct sunlight and mist them once or twice a week.
Another online retailer with a variety of air plants to choose from is Etsy. Reliable Etsy vendors go out of their way to make your online shopping experience as pleasant as possible. If you are dissatisfied with your order, you can always place a new one because they have a variety of possibilities.
If an online retailer does not have a plant that you like, let them know and they may be able to refill it for you.
eBay
eBay is another popular online shopping destination. eBay has a number of providers who can delivery your order quickly. The issue with eBay, however, is that you may not always get what you see online.
If the plant you got does not include blooms of various colors, you may have to wait a bit for the flowers to blossom and care for the air plant. The majority of orders include helpful PDFs that go through plant maintenance in great detail. These books cover everything you need to know about air plants, from how to care for them to how to display them.
What is the rarest air plant?
Recurvifolia. This is the rarest Tillandsia Funckiana variety, and it’s easy to see why! It has very distinctive leaves that resemble pine branches.
What is the lifespan of an air plant?
Air plants, also known as tillandsias, are perennial plants. This indicates they survive for an average of more than two years (source), with a lifespan ranging from two to five years. However, the length of time they live depends on the type of air plant as well as the growing conditions.
How do you pick air plants?
When you visit a nursery, you can usually get a sense of how well the plants are doing. There should be no weeds, the lawn should be green, and each plant should be free of flaws.
Foliage:
There are many different varieties of leaves available for air plants. Some are bright and shining, while others have a velvety texture. Some are green, while others are more silvery green; some are shiny and smooth, while others have a velvety texture.
Here are some examples of healthy air plants and how they differ from one another.
Any plants that are fading or have brown leaves, or that appear dry along the edges, should be avoided.
When you crush the leaves, are they firm but malleable, or do they create a crunching sound? The plants should be bushy and even in appearance, with leaves that are well spaced and well filled out.
What kind of water do you use for air plants?
On our Facebook page, we get a lot of questions about how to water air plants, so I wanted to elaborate a little. While Tillandsia (also known as air plants) are easier to care for than many other plant kinds, they do require some upkeep and TLC, and water plays an important role in their overall health. Here are some of the most common questions we hear about watering air plants, along with our answers:
This is mostly determined by your climate and where you keep the air plants, as well as the Tillandsia species (learn more about mesic vs. xeric air plants here) and the type of environment in which it grows in nature. We reside in Tampa, FL, so it’s very humid here for the majority of the year, and we don’t run the heat in our house during the winter like our friends up North (I’m not trying to rub it in!). We water our plants twice a week on average, but individuals who live in drier climes will need to water more frequently. Depending on the time of year, you may discover that you need to water your plants less. It also depends on where you keep them in your house or office. A humid bathroom will keep the plants moist, but those near an air vent or heat source will need to be watered more frequently. (Please note that keeping your plants near heat sources is not recommended.)
Note that, while humidity can slow the drying process, it is not a sufficient watering method in and of itself!
Again, you’ll want to adjust your watering methods based on your climate and air plant species, but we recommend soaking your plants in water at least once a week for MOST air plants and environments. You can use anything that allows you to totally submerge the air plants, such as a bowl, bucket, or your sink. Soak them for 30-60 minutes at least once a week, and every other week if you live in a dry area, give them a longer soak for an hour or more. If you live in a humid environment or have a xeric air plant, you may want to cut the soak time in half.
After bathing, make sure the air plants are completely dry. Turn them over and softly shake them, or lay them out to dry with the leaves down. Allowing water to remain in the leaves can cause the plants to decay. The plants should be placed in an area with sufficient air circulation and should be able to dry entirely in 4 hours. If your plants are housed in a globe or terrarium, ensure sure they are thoroughly dry before bringing them back home!
You’ll notice how wide and open the leaves are after soaking them, and how much more “happy” they appear. This is how a properly hydrated air plant should seem! If the color turns slightly dull and the leaves begin to close/curl over time, this is an indication that your Tillandsia is thirsty, and you should give them another soak. If your air plant is in desperate need of water, soak it for several hours or overnight to see if you can rehydrate it. Before soaking or spraying them again, make sure they have a chance to dry thoroughly.
It’s also a good idea to spray the plants in between waterings. If you live in a dry climate, this can be a great way to keep plants healthy and give them some extra attention. Unless you have one of the few varieties of air plants that like low moisture, such as the T. tectorum (which we only propose misting) or the T. xerographica, misting is not a substitute for a proper soak (which we recommend dunking instead of soaking).
When it comes to water, air plants aren’t picky, and most tap water is good, but it all depends on the water quality in your location. Because these waters are more nutrient-dense, the best water to use is rain water, aquarium water, or pond water (note: if using one of these waters, don’t add any additional fertilizer). If you’re using tap water, let it out for a few hours to allow the chlorine to disperse (maybe 24 hours in some areas.)
Do not use distilled water because it is too “pure” for these plants and will deprive them of the nutrients they require. Also, avoid using artificially softened water because it contains too much salt for Tillandsia.
We recommend soaking your air plants in the morning to ensure that they dry completely throughout the day, as well as because air plants utilize the evening to breathe carbon dioxide and will be unable to do so if they are wet in the evenings.
This is known as CAM, and you can learn more about it in our page on how air plants breathe. You can check on them before going to bed and put them back in their terrariums or displays if you expose them to some indirect sunlight.
These are the most frequently asked questions about watering air plants. Did we respond to your question? If you’re not sure, just ask! Are you looking for more information on how to care for air plants? Visit our Air Plant Care page for more information.
Why is my air plant turning red?
When exposed to bright light, certain air plant varieties, such as Tillandsia brachycaulos and Tillandsia bradeana, have been known to turn a shade of red. This feature appeals to plant collectors who seek them out primarily for the purpose of adding this lovely tone to their collection.
If the tops of your air plant’s leaves start to turn brown instead of red, you know it’s getting too much direct light (and so drying up).
If you plan to keep your air plant indoors, mist it at least twice a week if it will be exposed to a lot of light in a non-humid environment.
If you’re not sure what circumstances your indoor plant requires to thrive, providing indirect light is always a safer bet.
If you’re wondering if you can use artificial light to assist your air plant turn red, the answer is yes, but there are a few guidelines to follow to ensure your plant can continue photosynthesizing and growing as it would in natural sunlight.
- Full spectrum illumination is recommended since regular lightbulbs do not give the wavelengths required for your plants to fully photosynthesize and flourish.
- Keep your plant at least three feet away from the artificial light: If you keep your air plant too far away from a weak light source, even if it’s a full spectrum light, it won’t be able to absorb enough light to stay healthy.
- Consider supplying supplemental light for a minimum of 12 hours per day in areas completely devoid of natural light: Most grow lights have an automated timer built in, so you’re essentially simulating natural sunshine.
Do air plants purify the air?
One of the most compelling reasons to incorporate air plants into your house is their ability to filter the air you breathe! Tillandsia and a variety of other plants have been discovered to be capable of removing minor airborne pollutants and toxins.