Check out the size of this Tillandsia streptophylla pup that we recently removed from its mother plant it’s huge and healthy!
After an air plant has completed its bloom cycle, it will produce offsets, or new plants “pups” if the right conditions are met. The offsets grow in a variety of ways depending on the Tillandsia species, with some air plants producing pups around the base or root system and others sprouting them from beneath one of but it really serves as protection for the young Tillandsia pup that has sprouted beneath it.
After blooming, air plants produce one to three pups on average. Some kinds can produce a large number of offspring.
When the offsets have grown to reach about 1/3 the size of the mother plant, gently remove them from the mother. The pup will then progress through its own lifecycle, becoming larger and eventually flowering and generating its own offsets if given the correct conditions and care. Gently tug on the pup’s base while supporting the mother plant to remove it. If you have to use too much force to separate an offset that is ready to be removed, we recommend leaving it in tact.
If the offsets are not separated from the mother air plant, they will continue to create a clump “clump” that has the potential to get quite large. The manner you keep them will influence the shape to some extent; for example, hanging clumping ionantha air plants will allow the pups to grow 360 degrees and finally form a spherical clump. These air plant clumps can create several blooms if the conditions are correct, as the individual pups progress through adulthood, finally flowering and producing their own pups.
Following the blooming process, air plants produce offsets, or pups. At some point throughout their lives, all Tillandsia will go through this process, however some types, such as the xerographica air plant, are significantly slower to bloom and produce pups. Tillandsia require plenty of light (the level and intensity that your air plant prefers can vary according on type), water, and air flow to grow during the blooming process and generate offsets. To speed up the blooming process and pup production, you can use a fertilizer specifically developed for Tillandsia (such as this one), but bear in mind that fertilizer should be used in moderation and does not replace adequate care or circumstances.
In our articles about the air plant blooming process and what happens after the bloom, you’ll learn about what happens before an air plant produces pups.
What are pups on an air plant?
The best technique to water your air plant in the morning is to immerse it in a water bath. The stomata of air plants open at night, allowing gas and oxygen exchange/vaporization. Watering first thing in the morning will help to avoid interrupting this crucial process. Although you can mist your Tillandsia, this will not provide enough moisture over time, and the plant’s vascular cells may begin to degenerate.
Your air plant should be soaked once a week or once every two weeks, depending on the kind and thickness of the leaves. To do so, make sure you’re not using distilled water or water with a high salt concentration. Both of these are deficient in crucial minerals and nutrients, and can kill your plant after only a few waterings. Rain or pond water are ideal, but they are also tough to come by for most of us. Filtered tap water or tap water that has been held at room temperature for at least 12 hours would sufficient. Submerge the entire plant in the water; turning it upside down frequently keeps it from floating. Allow the air plant to soak in its bath for around 40 minutes to an hour. Most crucial, allow your plants to soak for at least 3 hours on a towel outside of their containers. This is the most common blunder people make. Remember that air plants are adapted to relatively arid settings in nature, where they can dry out. If you immediately return the plant to its vessel/container, moisture will be trapped in the meristem (base region) of the plant, resulting in rot.
If you have a flowering air plant, the bloom will usually endure for two to three weeks! Unfortunately, having the flower wet can reduce the length of the bloom, so only submerge the flowering Air plant halfway during this time.
If you’re going on a trip for two weeks or more, soak for 12 hours the night before you leave, then air out for another 12 hours. When you get home, soak for another 12 hours and air out. You can also conduct a few “extras” to encourage faster growth and more blooms.
FERTILIZING
Fertilizing your Tillandsia is a good way to encourage rapid growth and blooms, but don’t overdo it. If you have access to rain or pond water, you can skip this step. We recommend fertilizing every two months at the most. You can use a normal bromeliad fertilizer in your water bath. If no water soluble fertilizer is available, use 1/4 of the recommended amount of any water soluble fertilizer as long as it does not contain urea-based nitrogen, which is preferable for only soil-grown plants.
NEW GROWTH “PUPS
Every air plant will only blossom once in its lifetime, which is unfortunate but true. After the flower has dried, you should cut off the entire flower stalk to promote new growth “Puppet.” Tillandsia “Pups” are just new plants that sprout from the plant’s base. They usually start growing two months after the mother plant or the main base of the plant stops blooming. You can twist and remove fresh pups away from the mother plant, or you can leave them on until they clump together and the mother plant dies and is replaced by the puppies. Before you remove the pups, make sure they are 1/3 to half the size of the mother plant.
How long does it take for an air plant to grow a pup?
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…
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 air plants multiply?
Tillandsia air plants reproduce in the same way that other flowering plants do. Flowers are produced, which lead to pollination and seed production. Offsets new, smaller plants known as pups are also produced by air plants.
Even if the plant hasn’t been pollinated, puppies will form. There will be no seeds if pollination does not occur. Birds, bats, insects, and the wind pollinate air plants in the wild. Some species can pollinate themselves, while others require pollination from other plants.
How do I get my air plant 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.
How long can air plants go without water?
Air plants thrive when they are properly cared for. Despite the fact that air plants are among the easiest houseplants to care for, it is nevertheless recommended that you give them some attention. Providing your air plants with the water they require, appropriate light, good air circulation, and fertilizers such as orchid plant food are all important aspects of caring for them.
Without water, air plants can survive for two weeks. Even if the plant is still alive, its health has been compromised. Regarding the right watering schedule, you should bathe your air plants in water at least once every two weeks and spritz them once a week.
How do you take care of a baby air plant?
The name “air plant” is a little deceiving. Members of the Tillandsia genus are named after the fact that they may grow without any soil at all. In reality, one of the most common misconceptions we encounter in air plant care is assuming that Tillandsia just require air to survive.
Air plants are epiphytic (meaning they grow on other plants without harming them) and emerge from the curves and branches of trees in their natural habitat of South and Central America’s forests, mountains, and deserts.
Air plants are among our favorites; they look great on their own and are included in many of our Plant Craft items, such as aeriums and mounts.
The following are the best methods for air plant care that we advocate. We’ll start with an overview of how to care for air plants in general, then move on to specific adaptations for aeriums, terrariums, and mounted Tillandsia.
Air plants require strong, indirect light to grow. Rooms with southern or eastern facing windows are ideal because they will be brilliantly lit by the sun for the majority of the day. North-facing windows also perform well, as long as the plant is close to the window and the window isn’t obscured by trees or a neighboring apartment complex. Western light arrives late in the day and can be extremely hot and strong. You don’t want to fry your air plant, so be careful!
As a general rule, the more light the air plant can tolerate, the higher the humidity in your environment. This implies that if you’re going to put your air plant somewhere where it’ll get a lot of light, you’ll need to spray it more frequently – twice a week, if not everyday. Because the humidity from your shower will take care of most plant misting, a sunny bathroom provides a great home for an air plant.
Many customers question if they can keep an air plant in an office or basement room with no natural light. Yes, however there are a few guidelines to follow in order to assure your plant’s success.
It’s essential to use full spectrum (fluorescent) lighting. Regular incandescent bulbs do not produce the quality of light required for photosynthesizing by these plants. Your Tillandsia should be no more than 3 feet from the source of light. Also, if you’re using fluorescent lighting, the plants will need at least 12 hours of light per day.
If you live in a basement or want an air plant in your office, we recommend purchasing a dedicated bulb for your plant (such as a Gro-Lux, Repta-Sun, or Vita-Lite) and placing it on a 12-hour timer to ensure that your plant receives all of the light it need.
Watering an air plant is the most difficult aspect of air plant upkeep. Some individuals swear by misting, while others swear by soaking, and still others combine the two in their air plant care routine.
Watering air plants is difficult in our experience because the plant’s needs vary drastically depending on the location in which it is situated. The first step in watering your air plant is to assess its surroundings. What kind of light does your plant get? At this time of year, what is the temperature in your home? Is the environment excessively dry (does your plant have access to a heater or fireplace?) Is it hot and humid?
After you’ve answered these questions, you can tailor the air plant watering schedule to your specific requirements. As a starting point, we recommend the following:
- Soak your air plant in room temperature tap water (or rain/pond water if you can find it) for 5-10 minutes every one to two weeks.
- After soaking, gently shake your plant to remove any extra water. In a light area, turn it upside down and place it on a towel. This is vital information! If you leave your air plants in too much water, they will quickly rot.
- The plant should be able to dry completely in no more than 3 hours after the soaking is finished. If your plant is left wet for an extended period of time, it may rot. To help things dry faster, try putting it in a brighter area with better air circulation.
- Mist your plant thoroughly once a week to ensure that the entire surface is wet (but not so much that there is water dripping down into the plant).
- The more water you need to water as the weather gets hotter and dryer (summer, early fall). The less water your air plant needs the cooler and more humid the air is (winter and spring). But keep in mind that heaters and fires dry out the air!
- Do all of your watering first thing in the morning. Evening soaking or misting interferes with the plants’ capacity to breathe overnight, resulting in a longer drying time.
The browning or crisping of your air plant’s leaf tips is a sign that it’s been under-watered. When air plants are under-watered, their inherent concave shape becomes more pronounced.
Unfortunately, it’s generally too late to salvage your air plant if it’s been over-watered. Your plant has likely succumbed to rot if the base of the plant turns dark or black, and leaves are dropping out or off from the center.
When it comes to temperature, air plants are relatively laid-back. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures should be around 10 degrees colder at night than they are during the day.
Once or twice a month, incorporate orchid or Bromeliad fertilizer into your watering routine to keep your air plant happy. Simply sprinkle a pinch into your water and carry on as usual. Fertilizing your air plant promotes blooming and reproduction (or pup more on this later)
Air plants only flower once in their lives, did you know? These blossoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on the species, and can come in a wide range of vibrant colors, including pink, red, and purple. Flowering is the highest point in an air plant’s life cycle, but it also signals the start of the plant’s old age: after flowering, the plant will die.
But don’t give up! Depending on the species, your air plant will reproduce by putting out 2-8 flowers just before, during, or after flowering “Puppies.” These tiny air plants will eventually grow into their own mother plants, despite their modest size. When the pups are about 1/3-1/2 the size of the mother plant, they can be securely separated. Take care not to pull them out too soon, since they are absorbing nutrients from the mother air plant!
Above: A brass mister is a stylish and classic Tillandsia Xerographica companion.
While larger air plants look great on a windowsill or tabletop, we prefer to incorporate their smaller siblings into our living art “Aeriums” are a type of terrarium that is solely dedicated to air plants! Here’s everything you need to know about air plant care in glass.
- Simply take your plant from the aerium, terrarium, or glass to mist/soak it, then allow it to dry before putting it in the glass, as directed above.
- Keep in mind that maintaining your air plant in glass will produce a microclimate in which the glass vessels will be more humid and hot than the surrounding space.
- Avoid placing glass vessels too close to a window. The sun’s beams are amplified through glass. You don’t want your plant to cook!
- You won’t be able to soak your plant because it won’t come out of the glass, so you’ll have to rely only on misting. This is perfectly OK.
- Smaller glass means less air circulation, which means longer drying time for the plant and less misting.
- Larger glass = more air circulation = faster plant drying time = more misting.
- When misting your air plant, make sure to mist around it rather than directly into it. You don’t want to overwater it; instead, you want to keep it moist.
- We recommend starting with weekly misting and adjusting as needed, depending on the vessel.
You won’t be able to wet your mounted air plant like you can with air plants in small glass pots. Mounted air plants, on the other hand, will require more regular misting than aeriums because they are not enclosed in a humid microclimate. Starting with twice weekly misting and adjusting as needed, depending on how long it takes your plant to dry in your location, we recommend starting with twice weekly misting.
If you follow these air plant care instructions, your Tillandsia should thrive in no time! Do you have any queries or tips regarding caring for air plants? Let us know in the comments!
How often should I water my air plant?
Your plants should be watered once a week, but for best results, water them twice a week. Every 2-3 weeks, a 2-hour soak is advised. If you live in a drier, hotter environment, you’ll need to water or mist your plants more frequently. Your plant’s leaves will get stiffer and full of water after watering, and they will become softer and lighter in color when they are in need of water. Dehydration can be indicated by wrinkled or rolled leaves.