Do you want to buy air plants but have been putting it off because you don’t know how to take care of them? Or perhaps you’ve had air plants before that didn’t thrive for whatever reason. In general, air plants may require less upkeep than other indoor plants, but they still need care and attention. Judy, our resident expert on indoor plants, provided advice on how to take care of air plants (Tillandsia).
Tillandsia is the perfect plant for someone who dislikes getting their hands dirty. This sleek-looking plant doesn’t need soil to survive, and (added bonus) it doesn’t need much care either. The majority of the time, if you place them in the appropriate location, they will do their own thing and simply sit there and be adorable. In terms of placement options, they are likewise incredibly adaptable. They DO need SOME care, so continue reading if all of this makes sense to you.
Placement
Tillandsia may be planted almost anyplace. One common option for Tillandsia is in a beautiful glass globe, such as the one you can see above (and won’t you feel fancy?!). Other choices include in/on.
- an ornamental dish (filled with sand or not)
- ceramic or porcelain
- a seashell
- driftwood
To fasten an air plant to something, you can also use twist ties, wire, waterproof adhesive (like Liquid Nails), or staples (but be careful not to staple fleshy sections). Remember that fastening your Tillandsia to something might alter how you water it. As long as there is sufficient light, whatever location you discover that you believe will work would probably be OK. This leads us to lighting.
Lighting
Tillandsia should be placed in a bright area, but not in the sun. More light can be tolerated if there is high humidity in the room or area. If you’d like, you can place the Tillandsia outside on your deck, patio, or porch (but again, not in direct sun). Some plants can thrive in low to moderate light, but if you see that one is struggling, you might want to shift it to an area with more light. Keep in mind that if your Tillandsia is in a glass globe, the glass will enhance the heat and light, which could cause it to dry up more quickly. This leads us to watering.
Watering
Even though they don’t need as much water as many houseplants, air plants still need water. How frequently your Tillandsia needs water may vary depending on where it is. Your Tillandsia won’t require as much watering if it’s in a humid environment.
When watering your Tillandsia, the type of water you use is crucial. You must use water that is nutrient- and mineral-rich since tillandsia obtain their nutrition from water rather than soil. Although rainwater is a great option, you should utilize non-chlorinated water if you don’t have access to rainwater (well water or spring water). You shouldn’t utilize water that has been treated or distilled by your town or city.
As a general rule, water your Tillandsia in the summer by immersing it in water for around 20 minutes every 7 to 10 days. Put the entire plant under water and give it a good bath. To dry the Tillandsia after soaking, set it on paper towels or a towel and let it air dry fully before putting it back in the container you usually keep it in. Normally, this will take two to three hours. If your Tillandsia is in an area that is particularly humid, you can typically get away with misting it rather than immersing it in water. However, you’ll still need to remove it from its packaging so that you can dry it. (In the photo below, Judy also had a fan blowing on these.)
Tillandsia does “become dormant in the winter, so it will not require as much water,” like other indoor plants do. Giving Tillandsia a nice misting every two weeks should be plenty. Remember to wait until it is totally dry before putting it in a container. (Speaking of winter, Tillandsia looks stunning on a Christmas tree in a glass ornament! Did you know that we also sell Christmas trees?
Fertilizing
Like any other plant, Tillandsia will flourish if you can fertilize it occasionally. You can use the fertilizer we have on hand (seen above), but you can also use bromeliad (17-8-22) or orchid fertilizer. As you would if you were watering it, combine the fertilizer and water (follow the preparation instructions on the fertilizer). Once more, let it air dry. You should fertilize your garden twice a month. (TIP: You can water and fertilize your Tillandsia at the same time if you have a fish tank or pond; further fertilizer is not necessary.)
Do air plants go through a time of dormancy?
Despite their difficult nature, there are a few things that make Air Plants happy:
One of the most crucial and misunderstood components of growing Tillandsias successfully is watering. Most people believe that air plants don’t require much water; after all, they don’t even require soil to survive. They can endure protracted dry spells, but the absence of moisture makes them dormant. Watering air plants correctly is essential!
The ideal technique to water an air plant is to fully immerse it in a sink or pail of water. Give the plant 20 to 30 minutes to soak. The air plant’s leaves will feel rigid and wet after being watered. They will feel softer to the touch and the plant will have a lighter hue after drying. After the soak, it’s crucial to give the plant enough light and airflow to dry off. NEVER ALLOW THEM TO SIT IN WATER. If your plant is left damp for too long, it will also rot and die. Soak your plant at least two to three times every week to water it. If they appear dry in between waterings, spray them.
Light
Air plants prefer direct, bright light. Place indoors no farther than 10 feet from the window, in front of the window. Tillandsias can be planted outside under a tree, a carport, or a covered patio. Consider how they develop in the wild, in the shade of the trees. While they may tolerate some partial sunshine, direct sunlight should be avoided.
Temperature
Although they can withstand a wide range of temperatures, air plants are vulnerable to frost. With some leaf damage, they can withstand a light cold, but not a freeze. Bring those infants inside till spring if the overnight temperatures reach 45 degrees.
Air plants don’t really need to be fertilized. However, fertilization will promote quicker development, greater flowers, and more pups (offsets or baby plants). Don’t use too much fertilizer if you decide to use it. Utilize a water soluble fertilizer at 1/4 the indicated strength. Just once every month, fertilize your air plant.
Dried out Air Plants:
DON’T THROW THEM OUT IF YOUR PLANTS DRY OUT! It can be revived if there is a tiny touch of green on it! Put the plant in water for a maximum of 12 hours. 2 or 3 days later, soak for another 4 hours. Once your plant is no longer in need of critical care, get back to a regular watering regimen.
Displaying Air Plants:
The wonderful thing about a plant that doesn’t require soil is that you can “install them on nearly any surface! Since they are not necessary “You can be pretty inventive when planted! Due to the difficulty of soaking them, I prefer not to glue them down. Give your ideas free rein! Place them on an old log or some driftwood. Put them in a terrarium with pebbles or sphagnum moss. Use some fishing line to suspend them from the ceiling.
Big box stores sometimes have difficulty stocking air plants. They are available at Pikes Nursery in my neighborhood (metro Atlanta). They are offered on Etsy and Amazon.
So feel free to give it a shot. A unique and entertaining addition to your indoor garden can be air plants.
Can air plants endure the winter months?
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.
How should air plants be cared for throughout the winter?
It’s now time to bring any air plants you have left outside inside as the weather becomes colder! Since air plants are native to tropical climes, it will probably be required to move your plants indoors during the winter if you reside in a northern region. Moving air plants indoors is a good idea once the nights start getting cold (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit).
Your air plants will experience higher humidity and more light throughout the summer than they will during the winter. The plants may experience some stress as their habitat will quickly change as we bring them indoors. We offer some advice to assist you relocate your air plants indoors with as little stress as possible!
Your air plants won’t experience too many severe temperature changes because you’ll be relocating them inside your house, where the temperature is stable. Because your plants will be alright as long as you maintain your home’s temperature between 55 and 85 degrees (likely for most people), you shouldn’t worry too much about it. Your plants can be harmed and have issues more so when the humidity is changed to dryness and there is less sunlight.
Just be aware that the air will be a little dryer if you use a heater, fireplace, wood stove, etc. Keep in mind that placing your air plants too close to a fireplace can cause damage from the heat and embers. Just be careful not to place your plants directly in the path of any warm air flow, since forced air heating can also be harmful. Ensure that your air plants are located in a spot with some indirect sunlight as well.
If you don’t use mistings to counteract the dryness, it could be harmful to your air plants. Continually add an extra sprinkling while maintaining your regular water cycle. You can sprinkle the air or spray the plant directly. The misting of air differs slightly from that of plants. To assist restore some humidity to the air, spritz the area immediately surrounding the plant rather than spraying it directly. To aid with the dryness, you can also add humidity to the air by surrounding the plants with some decorative bowls or shells filled with water.
Decorate your bathroom with air plants and let it receive enough of natural light as another approach to fight winter dryness. Every time someone takes a shower, air plants receive a decent blast of humidity, which makes for lovely bathroom décor. You can purchase some gorgeous vases to display on various shelves or the bathroom counter. Another great alternative is to use cork bark, wood, or any other thing you’d like to cover with air plants to create a vertical garden on the walls of your bathroom! Just keep in mind that even though they will get soaked from the shower humidity, weekly soaking/watering will still be required.
It’s crucial to think about where you can get natural light in your house. The best places to survive the winter are not in dimly lit rooms, hallways, or shelves. Given that the sun is much weaker and there are fewer hours in the day during the winter, you do not need to totally avoid direct sunlight. Give your air plants at least 5 hours of the sunniest light each day during the winter. Try to keep your air plants 10 feet or less from windows.
If you keep a watch on all of your plants, especially in the beginning as you are figuring out your new watering schedule, you should be able to see any issues early enough to correct them, so don’t worry too much about the transition from outdoor to indoor! Your air plants may require a bit more moisture if, for instance, you notice curled leaves or dry tips. Simply check them frequently, then adjust your watering as necessary. Simply increase your weekly watering from once to twice and add mistings to see if that makes a difference. After a week or two, if they aren’t adapting to that shift sufficiently, it might be because they aren’t getting enough indirect sunlight. Simply try shifting them to a better location, and they ought to get better!
Other wintertime factors:
Fireplaces. Maintain a safe distance between your plants and the heat and embers of your fireplace.
circulation of air Your plants should not be too close to a heating duct, but they should have access to adequate air to dry out after watering.
Light. Bright light is essential, therefore if it cannot be provided naturally, utilize artificial lighting at all costs. However, please read my post on indoor lighting and don’t place your air plants too close to an incandescent bulb. Also, please don’t put your Christmas tree’s air plants indoors. Your plants will burn from the hot lights on the tree.