The wait is finally over! Your air plant has finally bloomed after a lot of love and care! You might wonder how it got to this point, and how I can properly care for my flowering air plant. Maybe you’re still waiting for your Tillandsia to flower and aren’t sure what you can do to speed up the process. This post is for you in either situation.
Let’s start with some basic information on the flowering cycle of air plants. The bloom, as with any flowering plant, signifies the beginning of the reproductive phase in the life cycle of an air plant. Air plants only bloom once in their lifetime, which may surprise you. Tillandsias produce a variety of flowers depending on the species, with many of them producing stunningly colorful blossoms in a range of hues from delicate pinks to blazing reds, as well as vibrant purples and yellows.
Within the Tillandsia realm, there are many different types of blooms. When some plants, such as the capitata peach, begin to blossom, they turn a delicate pink color and blooms emerge from the middle of the plant. Small buds grow from the heart of the plant in other plants like the aeranthros and stricta. The bud eventually expands and opens to show flowers. Some blooms may survive a few days, while others can last weeks.
Some air plants, such as the caput-medusae and the xerographica, have substantially longer bloom cycles than others. These plants produce huge flower tracts known as inflorescence, which can reach a height of over a foot in certain kinds! The blooms on the tract open out and fall out of the inflorescence over time. A bloom tract on some Tillandsias can last up to a year.
You could see some new growth on the side of your air plant after the bloom cycle is finished. These are tiny air plants, often known as offsets or offshoots “Puppies.” These little babies will grow up and become their own people “the “adult” air plant, and the cycle will start all over again! You can snip off the bloom tract that came out of the plant to boost the next stage of growth after the bloom, which will kick start the pup stage! Depending on the air plant species, the air plant will produce one to three pups after blooming. You can either remove the puppies or let them to form a clump once they reach around 1/3 the size of the mother plant.
Most healthy Tillandsias will blossom at some point, but they will need special care and a lot of light to do so. You can boost flowers and pup production by using a diluted fertilizer like our specially designed Air Plant Food once a month or so to help speed up the blooming process.
So, how should a Tillandsia in bloom be cared for? Keep watering and feeding your plant, first and foremost! When watering blooming air plants, however, you’ll want to avoid getting the flower wet, so instead of dunking or soaking the entire plant, we recommend dunking, misting, or holding only the parts of the air plant that allow you to avoid wetting the bloom beneath softly running water. If the bloom is buried in water for an extended period of time, it may rot or wilt. Because all of the plant’s energy is directed into the bloom and, eventually, the puppies, a blooming plant may require a bit more water than usual. Keep an eye on your plant to ensure that it remains happy and healthy!
You might be able to enjoy your own blooms with only a little light, water, and fertilizer! Good luck with your blossoming!
Are you curious as to what will happen next? After the Bloom is the second installment in the blooming series, as well as our essay on Air Plant Propagation.
How do I get my air plant to bloom?
Air plants are slow to grow at first, so be patient and kind to them. Over time, you’ll discover that they’re highly forgiving plants that grow with just a few simple measures.
- Once or twice a week, immerse the entire plant in room temperature water for 5-10 minutes. Allow plants to drip upside-down on a towel for at least 3 hours after their wash to ensure they are dry to the touch.
- For improved blooms and daughter growth, fertilize every two months with an epiphytic/bromeliad/non-urea nitrogen fertilizer (pups).
Why does my air plant not flower?
Bright, filtered light is ideal for air plants. What exactly do I mean when I say “filtered”? Consider a hot summer day spent under an umbrella or a shady tree. The light is bright, yet it doesn’t reach you.
One to three hours of direct sunlight in the morning or evening is sufficient to promote blossoming. Nearly all air plants will be fried in direct midday sunshine, when the sun is almost directly overhead, and if they survive, they will be severely disfigured.
Indoors, air plants are difficult to blossom, but with the appropriate conditions, they can. Find a window with direct morning or evening sunlight that faces south, east, or west. If you’re serious about this bloom, rotate your plant around the home to get as much morning and evening light as possible. Moving your plants outside is the best option if the weather permits. Find a bright, filtered-light spot outside where you can keep an eye on how much water they’re getting. You can bring your plant back inside after it begins to blossom so you can enjoy the process.
If you don’t have access to the outdoors, you can use a grow light. We plant a few tillandsias close to our Aerogarden, where we hydroponically grow herbs. Our tillandsia receives some of the LED grow light. It works wonderfully with the natural light coming in via the windows in the space.
It’s possible that you’ll need to increase your watering frequency. With more light, plants will dry out faster. Isn’t that correct? We sprinkle our plants twice a week with a fine mist. Some species will require more, while others will require less. As a general rule, the smoother the leaves are, the more water they require.
What about the nutrients?
Fertilizing any plant is beneficial; it is not required, but the plants will be healthier—you already know that. Fertilizing will really assist in achieving that bloom. Blooming takes a lot of energy, therefore your air plants will only begin to bloom once they have gained enough strength. We recommend fertilizing twice a month, substituting two of the plant’s normal waterings. You can also fertilize one or two days after a regular watering. Make sure you’re using tillandsia-specific fertilizer or a diluted version of it. In the Supplies part of our website, we sell fertilizer.
How can I tell it’s blooming?
The flowers will differ depending on the species. Some are dramatic and vivid, like the aeranthos stricta, while others, like the bulbosa, are spikey with many deep blue flowers. The stem, stock, bract, and flower are all part of the bloom’s structure. The inflorescence is what they’re called when they’re all together. When the plant begins to turn a brighter color, you can usually tell the blooming process is about to begin. A pink, red, or purple, for example. This is referred to as blushing. Keep an eye out for an inflorescence to form in the center of the plant’s leaves.
How do you enhance air plants?
Air plants, despite their modest maintenance requirements, require special care and attention in order to thrive. Soak an air plant in water for about 15 minutes when you initially purchase it for your living area. Turn it upside down and give it a good shake to properly dry it.
Your air plant is now ready to be displayed after soaking. They look great in a shell, on driftwood, or nestled among the leaves of other houseplants. Consider the air, water, light, and temperature of the area in which they will be kept.
Watering Air Plants
Your air plants’ leaves reveal a lot about their water requirements. Air plants with frizzy leaves are native to areas with a dry, warm climate. Even if you only water them once or twice a week and place them in regions with greater sunlight, they will thrive.
Air plants with smooth leaves grow in densely forested areas with adequate rainfall. They have fewer trichomes and, as a result, require more attention when it comes to water and shade.
The amount of water you should give your air plants depends on the climate where you live. You should sprinkle and soak the plants more if the weather is hot and dry. If the weather is cold and wet, though, you won’t need to water the plants quite as much. Soaking, dipping, and spraying are the three major methods for watering air plants.
If your Tillandsia seems like it needs it, mist it between dunkings or soakings – dry tips.
Set your air plant out to dry after submerging it in water or running it under a faucet. Once a week, or as needed, do this.
Once a week, immerse your plants in a basin of water. The amount of time it takes to soak an air plant depends on the species, your climate, and the plant’s requirements. Each air plant will require a different amount of time to soak.
Shake out any excess water from the leaves after watering the air plants. Then place them in a well-ventilated area to dry out any excess moisture.
Light
Although direct sunlight isn’t harmful to air plants, they prefer indirect or filtered light. Keep them a few feet away from the window for the greatest care.
The inside of a house is noticeably darker than the outside. As a result, make sure they have plenty of exposure to indirect sunlight. If they have recently been hydrated, they may tolerate more direct sunlight.
Provide them with adequate indirect sunlight while keeping their habitat in mind.
Temperature
Because tillandsias are tropical plants, they are unable to withstand frigid conditions. Keep them away from air conditioners and out of the cold.
The air plant thrives at temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit cause air plants to perish.
How do I get my Tillandsia to bloom?
Plant your tillandsia under the shade of a deciduous tree, a north-facing window, or another location with 50% shade. Blooming is aided by filtered light. If you don’t notice any blooms, move the tillandsia to a brighter location, as lack of sunlight can prevent it from blooming.
What is the lifespan of an air plant?
Air plants, often 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 feed air plants?
- Use rainfall or bottled water as a source of drinking water. Softened water contains salts that can burn air plants, while tap water has minerals that can clog the trichomes on air plant leaves, preventing them from collecting nutrients.
- Dry out the air plants. This is a critical point. After they’ve soaked, shake off the excess water and dry them in the sun for a few hours.
- Add water-soluble fertilizer for epiphytes, bromeliads, or air plants to the water you soak them in once a month to feed them. These specialist fertilizers provide nitrogen in a form that can be absorbed by the plants.
- Temperature swings are beneficial to them. They’ll thrive if the temperature drops by ten degrees, simulating cool nights in their home jungle.
- They aren’t able to resist a freeze. They’re completely tropical and must be brought indoors for the winter.
- Ensure that they are exposed to at least 4 to 6 hours of bright, filtered light per day. A space with lots of windows will appeal to them.
What kind of water do you use for air plants?
On our Facebook page, we get a lot of queries on 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 might slow the drying process, it is not a suitable watering method in and of itself!
Again, you’ll want to adapt 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 settings. 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 area, this might be a terrific method to keep plants healthy and offer them some additional 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 “clean” 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.
How long does it take for air plants to grow pups?
Isn’t it wonderful to know that your wonderful Tillandsia will one day generate their own baby air plants? The cutest part about these ‘baby’ air plants is that they’re called puppies.
Did you know that producing pups is the most popular technique for air plant enthusiasts to perpetuate their collections? That’s right, air plant enthusiasts everywhere can grow their own puppy nursery. Furthermore, the traits of the pups will always be identical to those of the mother plant.
All Tillandsia species will produce pups in a short period of time if the correct conditions are met. It’s simply a matter of understanding what to look for (nodes at the base of the mother plant) and when and how to separate the puppies from the mother plant. It’s also crucial to make sure that both the mother plant and the pups get enough sunlight and water.
Pups will begin to grow shortly after your plant’s first bloom cycle. It could take up to six months for your Tillandsia to bloom for the first time. It’s important to remember, however, that certain air plant species can take several years to blossom.
It’s only after your plants have bloomed that the magic begins to happen. At the bottom of your plant, you’ll see little nodes. This indicates that the baby plants have begun to arrive!
It’s critical that you continue to care for the mother plant as usual during this time. But always remember to be kind with the puppies. As they commence on their life’s path, they might be rather fragile.
Once the puppies have grown to about a fourth of the size of their mother plant, you’ll need to separate them.
Carefully lay the mother plant on its side and cut away the pups with a sharp kitchen knife or a good pair of garden sheers. After you’ve finished this procedure, you’ll be ready to start your own air plant farm!
Allow a couple of days for the cut-off point on both the mother plant and the youngster to harden off.
Your plants will begin to recover from their separation at this time. They may have developed a unique (lopsided) shape while growing up with their mother. In the coming months, your puppy’s shape and size will become more consistent. Plant food should not be used on puppies until they have been separated for at least three months, as they are extremely sensitive at this period. Maintain your normal watering schedule throughout this time.
One of the best things about air plants is how long they last and how easy they are to grow. They don’t require soil; all they require is some sunshine and water every now and again. It’s also simple to care for your air plant puppies, as you’ve seen. With a little TLC, you’ll have a litter of puppies in no time!
Take a peek at our collection of air plants to discover how lovely they (and their offspring) can be…
Can I trim my air plant?
We all enjoy air plants since they’re low-maintenance, but like any other plant, you’ll want to trim or prune them from time to time to keep them looking their best. We get a lot of queries about how and when to trim these unusual plants, so we’ve compiled a list of suggestions to help you keep your air plants looking great and identify any problems.
As an air plant grows or acclimates to a new or changing environment, it is natural for it to lose some leaves while producing new ones. Some dead leaves are natural in any living plant, and they don’t necessarily indicate that yours has a problem. You might notice some wilted or dried-up leaves around the base of your air plant, which you can remove by gently pushing on them. When removing dead leaves, however, be cautious since a pup may be growing beneath one of them; in this instance, it’s best to keep the leaf on until the pup has grown to about 1/3 the size of the mother plant and can be securely removed.
At the base of this Tillandsia ionantha, a little pup develops beneath some leaves.
You may notice a small browning on the leaf tips of your airplant. This could be a sign of too much light or insufficient water. This is very widespread in the more affluent areas “ionatha and argentea are examples of “wispy” forms. These browning tips can be carefully trimmed away without hurting the plants. A good rule of thumb is to tilt the scissors and trim the air plant leaf at an angle rather than straight across for a more natural look. If the leaves of your air plants are browning or curling, it may be a sign that they require more water and/or less light, therefore we also recommend “Listening to your air plants and making adjustments to your care as needed. Depending on the amount of water given and the type of climate they are in, some xeric cultivars, such as xerographica and streptophylla, can naturally have curly leaves (read our post on mesic vs xeric air plants).
The leaves of the Tillandsia xerographica will naturally curl and cascade, depending on their moisture, surroundings, and how they are presented.
Air plants, like any live plants, are prone to have a broken or damaged leaf now and then.
These plants are still fully healthy, and the damaged leaves can be cut at an angle to give them a cleaner appearance.
When trimming or pruning your air plant’s leaves, be careful not to cut too much of the length of the healthy leaves. While the air plant is resistant and tolerant, cutting the leaves too short reduces the surface area available for the plant to absorb nutrients.
Tillandsia (air plants) are epiphytes, which means they get their nourishment from trichomes on their leaves and anchor themselves to a tree limb or rock with their roots. Because their roots aren’t employed for nutrient absorption, they don’t require them to survive. When used as houseplants, these roots can be trimmed for aesthetic reasons or used to assist anchor the plant on a wreath or frame. If you do decide to trim the roots, make sure you just cut into the roots and not the base of the air plant.