A Complete Care Guide for Air Plants for Beginners

Air Plant Care at a Glance

Check below to quickly learn about the care guide of air plant:

How to Care For Air Plants for Thriving Growth?

The following requirements should be fulfilled to make the air plants thrive all year round. 

What is Ideal Light Conditions for Air plant?

Tillandsia Air plant requires bright but indirect, filtered sunlight. Place the air plant near windows facing east or west. You can also place it under the shade of a sheer curtain for filtered light. Too much or long term exposure to sunlight can burn the leaves. 

In case of limited light, the leaves may turn pale and tilted, or show no flowering. Full-spectrum fluorescent grow lights or LED lights help fulfill plant light requirements. 

What are the Watering Needs of Air Plants?

You have to water your air plants regularly. Since they don’t absorb water via roots, the best practice for watering is to soak them. Keep them in water for 20 to 30 minutes every week. Increase the water frequency in hot weather. 

Rainwater is ideal for soaking and dunking because it does not contain harmful agents like chlorine and fluorine. Instead, it has nitrogen that is beneficial for air plants. Softened water containing salts and distilled water containing no nutrients are not suitable for air plants, so avoid them. 

Over-watering makes the air plant soft and mushy, whereas dehydration turns its leaves wrinkled and curly. Therefore, you need to learn the complete watering guide for your indoor plants for better growth.

How Should Air Plants Be Dried After Watering?

After soaking, dry your air plant within 3 to 4 hours. Shake off the excess water by keeping it upside-down for some time. If the base remains wet, the air plant may rot.

What is the Ideal Temperature for Air Plants?

The ideal temperature range for air plants is 65 to 85°F (18 to 29°C) during the day, whereas for nighttime, the comfortable temperature range is 65°F (10 to 18°C). Air plants can thrive even at extreme temperature ranges, as low as 45°F (7°C) and as high as 90°F (32°C). 

Temperature below 32°F (0°C) is harmful for air plants, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures also dries the leaves out. 

What Humidity Level Do Air Plants Need?

The ideal humidity for Air plants is moderate to high, i.e., 50 to 70%. If the humidity falls below 50% in hot weather, frequent soaking or dunking is required. Regular misting keeps the humidity within the ideal range. 

Keep air plants in groups to create a slightly humid environment. For indoor air plants, use a humidifier in hot weather to keep the humidity level optimum. Plant them in a closed glass container or place them in a terrarium to create a little humid climate for them. 

Air plants require good air circulation to prevent moisture retention. Moisture sitting on the leaves might cause the plant to rot. Keep it away from direct dry heat exposure or heat vents to prevent dehydration. 

Here’s a helpful Reddit discussion where plant enthusiasts share their experiences about soaking times for air plants:

How long should I let my air plant soak at a time?
byu/FirmNeighborhood56 inhouseplants

What are the Fertilizer Requirements for Air Plants?

Water-based, low-nitrogen, orchid or bromeliad-specific fertilizers are ideal for Air plants. The fertilizer is diluted with soaking water of strength ¼ and fed monthly in the growth season (spring and summer). Air plants do not require frequent fertilizers, and even a light feed can initiate flowering and offshoot production. 

Urea and other fertilizers containing boron, zinc, and copper are not suitable for air plants. It does not grow in soil, and these nutrients are unstable without soil, which can cause adverse effects on leaves. To avoid the adverse effects of over-fertilization, learn to buy the optimum fertilizer for indoor the plants.

Why Air Plants Don’t Need Soil to Thrive?

Air plants do not need soil to thrive because they have specialized cells named trichomes on their leaves that absorb moisture and nutrients. Air plants hang on walls and other surfaces, such as rocks, trees, and artificial surfaces. It has minimal roots that only serve the purpose of attachment to the surface.

How to Display Air Plants Beautifully in Your Space?

Air plants can be displayed creatively in glass globes, terrariums, or hung from the ceilings or other surfaces. It can be placed in both indoor and outdoor environments. Its unique and soil-free characteristics make it a decorative plant for bathroom and living room wall art section, driftwoods, and rocks. 

You can use ceramic holders or concrete holders to place the Air plant at your favourite spot. An Air plant chandelier is also a creative option to display indoors. 

How to Hang Air Plants?

You can hang them from the ceiling with wires in open bowls or decorate with seashells. Use hanging baskets to hang from the surface. 

How to Propagate Air Plants to Multiply Your Collection?

There are two methods to propagate Air plants:

Method 1. Propagation by Division

Air plants produce several small baby plants right after flowering, growing at their base. Once the small baby plant reaches about ⅓ to half of the parent plant's size, separate it from the base. Use sterilized scissors, a sharp knife, or clean hands to pull it away from the base.

After separation, place it in your desired spot with bright, indirect light and treat it like a mature plant. Soak it properly for 20 to 30 minutes every week and dry it within 3 to 4 hours upside down. 

Method 2. Propagation by Stem Cutting

For stem cutting propagation, follow the following steps;

• Select a stem with two nodes. 
• Cut it with a sharp knife or scissors.
• Leave the cut end to dry out completely for 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, place the cut end submerged in water.
• Provide essential light, temperature, and humidity.
• Within a few weeks, the roots should start developing from the nodes. 

Note: If you need help to propagate your indoor plants, such as Pothos Silver Satin, read here: Pothos Silver Satin: How to Propagate and Multiply Your Beloved Houseplant.

How to Prune Your Air Plant?

Remove brownish or dead leaves by simple plucking. Trim roots if necessary and remove spent bloom stalks. Use clean scissors or a sharp knife to cut the bloom stalks and leaf trimmings. 

Potting and Repotting Your Air Plants

Air plants do not require potting because they do not grow in soil. Air plants can be decorated indoors with glass bowls or vases. It grows on walls and other artificial surfaces. For repotting, you can remove an offshoot and place it on a new surface of your choice. 

Common Air Plant Pests and Diseases

Air plant common pests are Scale insects, Spider mites, Mealy bugs, and Fungus Gnats. These pests attack air plants only because of improper humidity and watering. Air plants are prone to the following two common diseases;

1: Fungal Infection/ Leaf Spot

It occurs when water remains on the leaves for too long, and there is insufficient air circulation or improper light. 

2: Rot 

It occurs because of over-watering the Air plants. Discoloration in the base, insufficient air circulation, and mushy parts also contribute to the reasons behind rot. 

Solution

The following tips help to solve these common pest and disease problems;

• Soak Air plants properly for at least 30 minutes weekly, followed by drying for at least 4 hours to avoid over-watering.
• Check plants regularly for any irregular texture and colors.
• Provide proper air circulation to remove extra moisture.
• Maintain humidity levels and check the moisture meter to avoid diseases and pests. 
• Remove any damaged parts from the Air plant to prevent disease spread.
• Apply a fungicide or Safer’s Sticky Sticks if necessary.
• Use a rubbing alcohol dipped swab to clean the leaves and avoid pests.
• Use Bios Diatomaceous Earth - Ultimate Pesticide or Bios Herbal Soap.

Conclusion

In summary, Air plants are decorative plants growing under bright and indirect sunlight. The temperature ranges between 65°F and 85°F (18 to 29°C) for optimum growth, and humidity is required at 50 to 70%. Air plants are soaked in water for 20 to 30 minutes to meet their water requirements and dried right after for 3 to 4 hours upside-down. 

The plant does not grow in soil, so fertilization is not frequent. A water-soluble fertilizer is used every month. With a proper watering schedule and air circulation, pests and diseases can be avoided. If you’re planning to bring this beauty home, you can always find one at MyGreenScape. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if your Air plant is happy?

Healthy green leaves, blooming, firm base, and new baby growth show your Air plant is happy.

How long does an Air plant live?

An air plant usually lives for 2 to 5 years, depending on the species and care it receives. Each plant blooms once in its lifetime, and after flowering, the mother plant gradually fades but produces small offsets called pups.

How to mist Air plants?

Fill a spray bottle with rainwater or lukewarm water and mist the plant from all sides. Mist during soaking episodes aids in humidity maintenance. 

Can you bring back a dead Air plant?

A completely dead Air plant cannot be recovered, but a plant with discoloration and crispy leaves can be retrieved with proper care. 

Do Air plants go dormant?

Yes, the Air plant Tillandsia goes dormant in the winter season because the conditions are not favourable for growth. 

Is Air Plant Toxic to Pets and Humans?

No, Air plants are not toxic to pets and humans. They are safe, but avoid feeding them to your pets as it can cause mild irritation.