When your air plants arrive at your door, you might question if you can put them on display outside. The answer is yes! The majority of air plants flourish in the abundant light and healthy airflow that they receive outside, which is where we love to display our air plants.
A covered patio, a deck, on a table outside (if not in direct sunlight), or in the crooks of tree branches are some suitable outdoor display locations for air plants.
There are a few important considerations you must make if you choose to grow and show your air plants outside:
Where will your air plants be on display and what are the local temperatures?
Plan your activities based on what the temperature might be during the hottest or coldest period of the day. The best results have been obtained when air plants are placed in locations with good indirect sunshine and some afternoon shade. Despite the fact that these are tropical plants, leaf burn or rotting may appear on your air plants if the heat becomes too intense. So be on the lookout!
The xeric species T. xerographica, which enjoys plenty of sunshine, fits in perfectly with these succulents in our outdoor bed.
While some, like the xeric species of air plants, can endure more direct sunshine, most air plants prefer bright indirect light. (Our article Mesic Vs. Xeric Air Plants has further information on xeric species of air plants.) Make sure your plants are in a location where they will receive at least 4 hours of decent indirect light, but not too much direct light, to prevent the sun from burning their leaves.
Can you leave air plants outside?
“You must give your new air plant its first watering after buying it. According to Andrew Gavin from Andy’s Air Plants, who is exhibiting at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (1822 July 2018), you can either submerge your plant in water or spritz it with rainwater.
2. Steer clear of arid areas
“As long as their surroundings are not too dry, air plants can thrive by spraying themselves with water, according to Ciara. ” Once a week is what I would advise, but if it’s particularly hot, make it twice a week.
3. Correct the sunshine
“Any window in the house will do as long as it faces east, west, or south, advised Andrew, so put your new plants in a light location.
“Silver-leaved species may survive in bright to full sunlight. Greener leafed species can endure dappled shade, intense indirect light, or half a day of full sunlight.
The jungle atmosphere, where light peeps through the trees, is mirrored by filtered sunshine.
“Remember that in their natural habitat, these plants attach themselves to rocks, trees, and shrubs, keeping them out of direct sunlight, according to Merje Shaw, founder of Scandiscapes, an online marketplace for design-driven indoor and outdoor gardeners.
4. How frequently should an air plant be watered?
“Yes, these plants depend on air to survive in the jungle where they are found, but they also need the right amount of humidity. Since we don’t live in a forest, it is advised to regularly spritz them with water and to submerge them for about 30 minutes each month in a bowl of rainwater.
“If your air plant is starting to look a little sad and brown, give it an overnight bath in rainwater.
5. Use rainwater instead of spraying
“Rainwater is preferred by air plants because it contains important nutrients like nitrogen, according to Andrew. ” Plants need watering in the morning and evening. When sunny skies are expected, water your plants more frequently.
6. Pay attention to the species
The Tillandsia brachcaulos, butzii, and capitata “peach” species, as well as other species with thicker, smoother leaves, can be misted or drenched, according to Andrew.
Misting is preferred by finer, silver-leaved species with fine hairs or scales like Tillandsia tectorum, ionantha, and streptocarpa.
“Silver-leaved species require strong air circulation because they dislike being damp for more than a few hours. Green-leaved species are better suited to bathrooms and humid situations since they can stay wetter for longer.
7. Supplement rainwater with some orchid food
Just be sure to use a small amount of orchid fertilizer because too much will harm the plant.
8. Is it possible to keep an air plant inside or outside?
As long as they receive regular hydration, air plants can be kept indoors throughout the year, according to Andrew.
Additionally, they can spend the entire growing season outside before being taken inside for the winter.
9. Get rid of the pests
“Generally speaking, air plants are pest-free, although occasionally mealy bugs or insect mites can be an issue, according to Andrew. ” To get rid of bugs, put some rubbing alcohol on a cloth. You may also use insecticides, just make sure they don’t contain soap, which can obstruct the pores where your air plant breathes.
“Pest attacks can be avoided by periodically inspecting your plants and using a clean paintbrush to remove any cobwebs or bugs.
What degree of heat can air plants withstand?
Since air plants are a tropical species, they must be moved indoors when the nights start to become colder than 40 degrees, something many Northerners prefer to do during the warm months. Your air plants will require some extra care to adapt to their new surroundings after you bring them indoors.
Temperature, humidity, light, and air flow are the primary factors that differentiate the indoor environment from the outdoor one.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for air plants is 65 to 85 degrees. The likelihood is that your air plants will be at ease in your home if you are. There is hardly much cause for concern.
Humidity
In the winter, homes heated by forced-air furnaces, fireplaces, and radiators frequently feel quite dry. Consider how much more hand cream you would require to prevent your hands from becoming dry and cracked throughout the winter. It’s possible that your air plants will suffer in these dry conditions. We advise changing your watering schedule to fix the situation. Your air plants may require additional winter hydration if their leaves are curling and their tips are dry. Give them a weekly water bath, but you might also need to supplement with a weekly misting. Keep your plants away from air returns, drafty windows, and vents. Another method to raise the humidity is to put a tray of water close to your plants.
Light
Even indoors, your plants will require intense light. Most plants endure brighter winter sun when they would otherwise burn throughout the summer thanks to the lower sun angle. The ideal environment is a few feet away from a window that faces south or west. Fluorescent and grow lights are the next best options if natural light is scarce since they offer the “blue light” that plants require. When placing your plants close to incandescent light bulbs, use caution because they can become extremely hot and damage the plants.
Air Circulation
Avoid putting your plants in containers that are too small or firmly shut. Fresh air circulation is necessary for air plants since it aids in nutrient absorption. For more information on how to take care of air plants, visit the air plant care video series.
Can air plants survive the cold outdoors?
We start using heaters, dressing warmly, and savoring the comfort of the season throughout the winter months. How about your air plants, though? Do they require special care?
We prefer to modify our air plant care routine to meet our surroundings, including the temperature, humidity, and type of plant you are taking care of. A key component of keeping your air plants healthy and flourishing is keeping note of seasonal variations.
Temperature: You should make sure that none of your air plants are left outside if you live in a region of the country where nighttime lows fall below 50 degrees. Despite the fact that some types can tolerate lower temperatures, it is best to be safe than to risk having your plants become too chilly. Most air plants like temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees because they are tropical plants. If you do decide to bring them inside, make sure they continue to receive adequate water and light to grow.
Humidity: Because of the use of heaters during the cooler months, there is a lack of humidity in the air. Make sure your plants receive enough water at least once every week. If you soak them, make sure they are totally dry before putting them back in their terrariums by letting them dry for at least 4 hours in a warm environment. Heaters can also dry out your plants, so to make sure they receive enough moisture to thrive, you might need to mist them between waterings.
In the colder months, your air plants may require more frequent watering if you reside in a dry region. We check on our plants every day to make sure they are getting enough water, even in Florida, where we have more moderate winter temps.
Displaying plants too close to a heater or air vent, or too near a cold or drafty window, is a quick way to destroy them. Even while we like the warmth that a heater provides, too much heat might dry out your plants. Additionally, standing too close to a cold window might shock your plants and could even kill them. Always make sure that air plants have access to enough air movement by never leaving them in a closed-off terrarium.
Light: During the shorter days of the year, it can be more difficult to obtain bright light, but just make sure your air plants are still receiving enough indirect light. As long as the plants aren’t too distant from it and receive enough of it each day, artificial light can serve as a sufficient source.
Do air plants require direct sun exposure?
As we’ve previously indicated, air plants thrive in indirect sunlight. Your air plants will lose moisture due to too much sunshine, and if they are kept in the sun for an extended period of time, they will burn and eventually perish. Tiny scales on the leaves of air plants—properly referred to as trichomes—serve two main purposes. They first aid the plant’s absorption of nutrients and water. They also aid in reflecting sunlight off the leaf surface.
Tectorum Ecuador’s tall, white, and bright trichomes aid in reflecting the intense light in its open, natural habitat. High elevation cliff sides in Peru and Ecuador are home to this species.
In general, you want to keep all of your air plants as far away from direct sunlight as you can, however depending on the plant’s species and climate, certain tillandsia can tolerate more sun than others. Your plant won’t likely fare well in direct sunlight if its leaves are thinner and wispier. This form of air plant may be better able to handle some direct sunlight for sections of the day since its thicker, broader leaves can hold moisture better. Direct sunlight is typically best handled by silver-leaved air plant species like xerographica.
Avoid exposing your air plants to direct sunlight if you live in a southern state or a desert region where the sun is very powerful. Take extra care in arid environments like the desert because the lack of humidity may cause your plants’ damage and drying out from the sun much faster.
We advise placing your indoor air plants near windows if you intend to keep them there. They could also be maintained close to a window that receives shade from a tree or any other form of solar protection. Many people also choose to maintain their air plants at an office with either bright fluorescent lighting or indirect sunlight from windows.
The same rules apply if you keep your air plants outside; just make sure they are totally covered from direct sunlight or in a location where they won’t receive more than an hour of direct sunshine every day. It should be fine to sit on your porch, lanai, or under a tree.
Air plants thrive in shaded patios and porches that only receive light in the early morning and late afternoon.
Brown stains, dried-out patches that emerge on internal growth, and highly unhealthy splotchy appearances of exterior leaves where completely wet are all symptoms of sunburn. If you see any of these symptoms, remove the plant from its current place right away, and ready to perform some little care. Remove the completely damaged exterior leaves by gently pulling them off. If they are difficult to remove, use a pair of scissors to cut away any damaged sections. After removing the plant’s worst damaged areas, give the air plant a nice soak before moving it to a better, shaded location. Continue watering the air plant as usual and add a few daily, light mistings; do not fertilize it until it is fully healthy again. Avoid oversoaking since if the plant is left wet for too long, it may fall apart. Your air plant should quickly return to its happy, healthy self if you are persistent and patient.
How long does an air plant live?
Perennial plants are tillandsias, also referred to as air plants. According to the source, they have a lifespan of between two and five years, which indicates that they normally survive longer than two years.
The type of air plant and the growing conditions have an impact on how long they live, though. They reside in deserts, on various surfaces, and on tree branches in their natural habitat (other surfaces they can grow on).
Air plants only experience one flowering during their existence, which marks the culmination of their development and maturity.
Depending on the species, the flowers might remain in bloom for a number of months. However, the air plant will begin to die when the blossoms start to wilt and fade. Air plants develop pups or offsets before they die to carry on the same growth cycle.
Despite the mother plant dying, you can take the pups out and raise them separately. Separating the pups from the mother is referred to as “division is a method of air plant propagation.
As an alternative, you might leave those puppies grouped together ” (also known as “tillandsia balls).