All air plants are native to tropical areas where freezing and frost are unheard of. Is it necessary to keep them at temperatures that you are comfortable in without wearing a sweater? Temperatures are usually in the 60s and higher. Place them away from air conditioner vents and drafty winter windows.
Air plants need at least a few hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day to thrive. It’s best to put it within 1 to 3 feet of an east- or west-facing window, or within a foot or two of a light source. They can have hotter, more direct sun and longer exposure if you keep them well watered. Avoid places that are dimly lit.
Can you put air plants in a pot?
Air plants can be grown in regular pots, but their small size and lack of moisture requirements make them ideal candidates for a variety of alternative planter designs.
For something a little unusual, try one of these unique air plant holders.
This larger air plant fits perfectly in a regular family fish bowl. For a distinctive and beachy atmosphere, add some white gravel and a collection of sea shells.
One of my blog followers gave me a photo of her air plant display, which she thought was extremely cool.
The air plants are held in place by a bent wire at the top of these attractive planters, which are made of wood blocks. So inventive. Lilibeth, thank you for sharing! I adore how these turned out!
Air plants enjoy sitting atop trees in the wild. Wrap some sphagnum moss around a piece of wood and attach the plant to it to achieve this look. When hanging in this manner, it will appear natural and woodsy.
Air plants are a great addition to any terrarium display. Terrariums keep the moisture in and provide the optimal habitat for the plant.
This charming teardrop-shaped glass holder is decorated with a heart and wrapped in copper wire. It gives the small tillandisia a natural appearance as it sits on a bed of green moss.
A note on copper and air plants:
Copper pipes and wires can be poisonous to air plants, especially if they are repeatedly exposed to moisture, which is necessary if you water in the container.
If you want to utilize a copper-containing air plant container, make sure it’s completely sealed with a clear coating like Flex Clear.
You can also remove the air plant from the container while watering it to avoid exposing the copper to wet.
An old wooden drawer with sections was transformed into a lovely succulent planter for an air plant and other succulents in this simple DIY project.
Because Air plants grow on host trees in nature, using log holders to display them makes a lot of sense.
For a completely symmetrical container, this lovely log design showcases two plants, one on each end.
Air plants are ideal options for shallow bowl planting due to their modest stature. For a minimalist look, this attractive air plant bowl container includes gravel, a piece of drift wood, and three distinct air plants.
Driftwood is an excellent choice for a planter. The sea naturally polishes it, forming cracks that can be used to plant tillandsia in.
Logs can be used in a variety of ways in planters. Here are some additional log planter options.
My most recent trip to the local farmer’s market was spent perusing an air plant vendor’s stall, which featured a plethora of attractive containers. This bird cage caught my eye, and I really like how it looks.
It was about 5 feet tall and had a massive piece of drift wood to hold the tillandsia plants!
This shield type air plant holder has a rustic holder made of a stained wooden plaque and copper tubing.
It’s simple to construct and looks great with the plant. Walnut Hollow Crafts has a tutorial for a shield planter.
This air plant is perfectly housed in a circular sphere constructed of flat copper wire. The planter is simple to spray and looks fantastic with the colorful moss beneath the air plant collection.
In this interesting coffee pot terrarium, my old Mr. Coffee carafe has a dual purpose.
My air plant was paired with other succulent plants to create a lovely display that requires very little watering.
A jute-wrapped glass bottle with a front round opening is embellished with a single wooden bead. For a fun rustic feel, add some colorful moss in various shades and a spiky air plant in the center.
This is a lovely planter. A side of a light bulb has been taken off to allow the air plant to be placed with some moss.
I like how the copper wire complements the light bulb’s top hue. Cute, different, and just the right size!
This marbled clay loop makes a terrific air plant holder and is a fun DIY project.
It’s constructed of polymer clay that’s been dyed before being baked.
This charming planter is composed of a ceramic cat figure with a plant-sitting area on top.
House of Hawthornes has additional adorable air plant holders.
These ancient metal pipe fittings serve as air plant holders as well.
They’re rustic and one-of-a-kind.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user BookFinch.
In this fairy garden fashioned from a brandy snifter, air plants look right at home. The small deck chair is adorable. It creates the ideal seaside scene! Pastels and Macaroons has a fairy garden instruction.
Last but not least, I recently discovered this beautiful planter at Lowe’s.
It’s a blown glass container with a cutout in the front and two copper wire wrappings.
The copper bloom complements the moss’s vibrant colors and nicely exhibits the air plant.
What kind of display do you have for your air plants? In the comments section below, I’d love to see some images!
Do air plants need soil?
Air plants are adorable, resembling pets rather than plants. It’s enticing whether a variation is fluffy, hairy, spiky, or trailing. Air plants are often small, easy to cultivate, and do not require soil. Air plants use scales on their leaves to absorb nutrients and water from the air, as the name implies. They’re popular as houseplants because they’re easy to maintain and require little light to grow.
What can you put an air plant in?
Air plants get their nutrition from the air and moisture around them. As a result, finding them a home is simple. Use ordinary pots, terrariums, frames, seashells, urchins, baskets, and bowls to display them. You can also use wires, fishing lines, or glue to hang or attach them to wood, cork bark, and wreaths.
What kind of pots do air plants need?
Tillandsia, often known as air plants, has become increasingly popular in recent years. These tiny epiphytes defy our understanding of traditional plant requirements, which makes them all the more intriguing. Making stunning air plant displays is so simple because of their enigmatic nature that anyone can do it, which is one of the reasons they make such fantastic gifts. Unfortunately, they can be relatively easy to kill if not grown in the right conditions. Tillandsia development patterns, general care information, how to build a Tillandsia terrarium, and the equipment required for them to thrive will all be covered in this article.
To properly care for Tillandsia, we must first understand how they grow, as with all air plants. Tillandsia are epiphytes, which means they live on other plants without parasitizing them. They can be classified into two groups: mesic and xeric. Mesic variants are frequently found high in the tree canopy of the American tropics, indicating that they prefer intense indirect light, good ventilation, frequent rainfall, and anchoring roots. Xeric variants, on the other hand, grow on cliff faces and rocky outcroppings. These air plants require far less water, prefer small amounts of direct sunlight and plenty of air movement, and have roots that can be used to anchor themselves. The trichomes that cover the leaves of the xeric varieties differ from those of the mesic varieties in that they draw extra moisture from the air. In contrast to the glossy greenish hue of the mesic air plants, they almost appear to have silver fur.
We can create a better environment for Tillandsia in our homes by understanding the native conditions in which they thrive. I always advocate maintaining Tillandsia in an open terrarium because they thrive in damp environments. The key is to create an environment with a higher relative humidity than our ordinary homes while still allowing for enough circulation. Keeping a Tillandsia under a cloche or in a confined terrarium is doomed to failure. So seek for glass containers with a large top opening or holes in the sides.
Traditional terrariums require multiple layers (as mentioned in a previous blog article), but an air plant terrarium only requires one: the drainage layer. The drainage media’s objective is to protect the plants from sitting in water at any time, and it can be made of nearly anything that won’t rot. You can also add some moss or lichen for added decoration and dampness.
Finally, but maybe most critically, Tillandsia require enough lighting. Many individuals try to keep their air plants in conditions that are too dark. In comparison to their natural surroundings, our dwellings are caves. Ideally, they should be placed in an east or west facing window. They can also be to the side or away from a bright south-facing window. The goal is to have bright indirect light during the day, with a few of hours of direct sunlight in the morning or afternoon.
To summarize, an open glass vessel, inert drainage media, possibly some decorative moss, and proper light levels are required to produce a good home for Tillandsia.
Most of the equipment needed to properly water and feed these anomalies can be found in your home. In her book, she says:
Can I hot glue air plants?
Silicone sealant can be used to install airplants on a variety of wood, rocks, and logs. Apply a little dab of silicone to the branch where you want to install the plant, then seat the plant in the silicone, making sure it is firm. While the silicone hardens, a little dab of hot glue can be used to keep the plant in place. To avoid burning the leaves, let the glue cool for about 10 seconds. When installing the plants, make sure to put those with a bulbous or inflated base horizontally or upsidedown to avoid water pooling around the base of the leaves, which can cause rot. To assist cover the glue or silicone, small pieces of dried moss can be glued around the base of the plants, but don’t use too much or the plant will decay.
How often should I soak my air plant?
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.
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.
Where should I keep my air plant?
Light. Air plants prefer indirect light that is bright. A bright window may provide too much light, whereas a gloomy room may provide insufficient illumination. Find a sunny area in your home where the sun isn’t shining directly on the plant, which could cause it to burn.
Do air plants grow bigger?
The following are some of the most frequently asked questions concerning air plants by current and potential owners. If you have any more questions about air plants, please share them in the comments area below!
Do Air Plants Purify Air?
Air plants remove carbon dioxide and some trace chemical pollutants from the air, but they aren’t as efficient as other air-purifying plants. However, some research suggests that they are capable of eliminating mercury and other contaminants from the air.
Do Air Plants Grow Bigger?
Depending on the species, your air plant will grow to full size if it is a pup (baby air plant). As previously stated, air plants can grow to be two inches tall or seven feet tall, so investigate your variety to learn more about how big it will grow. If you buy an air plant in a market, it will almost certainly be fully grown.
Do Tillandsia Die After Flowering?
Unfortunately, when most air plant kinds bloom, it implies they have reached the end of their life cycle and will die soon. On the plus side, air plants produce small pups that will grow to reach the same size as their parents before dying.
Why Do My Air Plants Keep Dying?
The most prevalent cause of air plant death is overwatering. They can easily suffer root rot if they are overwatered, which will destroy them. Make sure your air plants are completely dry within three hours of watering to avoid root rot. Under-watering is the next most prevalent cause, which the plant normally recovers from. To resurrect an under-watered plant, follow the steps outlined below.
How Do You Revive an Air Plant?
Give your plant an extra soak and resume your normal watering routine if you’ve lightly under-watered it (its tips are going brown or have a somewhat dry texture). Follow the procedures below to revive a brown or severely dry plant:
Place the water container and plant in a brightly lit place with a temperature range of 6575°F (1823°C).
If the plant is still wilting three days after being soaked, repeat the processes, but soak the plant for only three to four hours this time.
Air plants are wonderful complements to any plant collection, and they also make excellent gifts for plant lovers. Air plant jewelry can be made out of the tiniest ones. Air plants are also ideal for creating unique decor displays and crafts, such as air plant string art or DIY terrariums. Do you have a unique way of utilizing your air plant? Please let us know in the comments section below!
How do you attach air plants to a tree?
We don’t recommend using adhesive to tie air plants to something because it makes watering and caring for your plants more difficult. It is, nonetheless, possible! You can use a plant-safe adhesive like E6000, which is also waterproof, when employing glue. Make sure not to get glue on any of the leaves when gluing; instead, dab the glue on the plant’s base and let it dry to attach.