At least you get new babies from the process! It may seem tricky to figure out, but the symptoms of underwatering and overwatering air plants are different. The first option is to mist your plant. Through trial and perhaps some error, you’ll work out an air plant care routine that works best for you and your plants. This way, the air plants do not touch the water, but as the water evaporates, they will be provided with humidity. Want more info? I have found that these ones are more prone to rotting than more open-structure or frilly air plants, since water is easily trapped inside the dense portion. When overwatered, the body of the air plant will become soft, rotten, and probably discolored. Some folks claim that misting alone will not provide sufficient water to keep an air plant happy. For example, if you run a forced air heating system in the winter that may be more drying. I’m all about simple living, real food, and everything plants. This makes so much sense, I keep buying and loving tillandasia to death. My hope is to inspire the love for a similar lifestyle or hobbies in others ~ by sharing real-life tips and tools to make “modern homesteading” activities easy, understandable, and enjoyable ~ so you can learn and dive in with me! I know, I know—glass terrariums are adorable, but air plants need circulation of, you know, air. Almost all of the adora. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. For hours. Let’s talk about a few common mistakes in air plant care, considerations for mounted or terrarium air plants, and the ultimate goal: how to not kill your air plants. If you do opt to fertilize your Fuego, you should use a water-soluble fertilizer made specifically for Tillandsias. So let’s get to it. Use rainwater or bottled drinking water. Instead, I heavily mist them with a spray bottle until the point of dripping. Tillandsia stricta getting some perfect morning rays (Caitlin Atkinson). 2 | KEEP THEM UPSIDE DOWN If the air in your home is warm and dry, water the air plant at least weekly. However, caring for air plants can be a bit mysterious and even frustrating for new air plant parents. During excessive heat and dry periods (or in very arid locations), watering twice per week may be necessary. If you just can’t get over glass, choose a vessel with as wide a hole as possible (like a fish bowl), and be sure to let plants dry fully before you place them back inside. I’ll give you one big (and perhaps obvious) hint: despite their name, they need more than air to survive! Instead, you’ll need to lightly mist the leaves of the plant using water or water with a nutrient mixture. For more ideas about how to display air plants, see Hooked on Houseplants, Teen Edition. Keep in touch with our weekly newsletter and receive a FREE digital, printable garden planning toolkit! All Rights Reserved. An underwatered air plant will become more brittle and crispy. Now I know how to take care of it – thanks! Like I mentioned above, air plants can easily rot and die if they’re left with a “soggy bottom”. With time, you’ll probably also learn which varieties of air plants do best in your home or are easiest to care for. Let them soak for about half an hour, then turn them upside down on a towel to let them drain. After they soak, Tillandsias need to dry out fully. Happy growing! That way it will ensure that you are saturating all of the trichomes on your plant. They prefer to be in a dry place with good circulation. If you’re able to get these three things dialed-in (which will vary slightly with your climate), air plants can live happily in most any home. Best Way to Take Care of Air Plants. Their root system is truly short and only used to hold on to a surface. The three most important elements of air plant care are the right amount of light, water, and air circulation. Since they don’t need to be potted in soil, air plants can be mounted, suspended, perched, or otherwise creatively displayed for a fun visual twist. Hey Vince! Any purchases made through affiliate links are greatly appreciated, as they enable me to continue to create and share with you! I know you thought you’d be fine just spritzing your tilly every few days, but that isn’t … Misting can also be used in conjunction with soaking, for example as a way to deliver a light mid-week drink to your air plants during hotter months between soaking sessions on the weekend. It may or may not be possible to set them “upside down” to dry, depending on what they’re mounted to. Worms are a “living soil amendment”, says Cornell University, and a key component to the vitality of our garden! Softened water is high in salts that will burn the air plants, and tap water has minerals that can clog the trichomes on air plant leaves and keep them from absorbing nutrients. I know because y’all tell me. I beg to differ! Depending on the variety of the plant, it may need to be watered only once every one or two weeks, as well. Tillandsias, also known as air plants, are a genus of over 600 different species of epiphytes – plants that do not grow in soil. | Updated November 19, 2020, Low Light Houseplants for Darker Homes and Offices. They’re actually part of the Bromeliad family, which includes other members who enjoy a soil-free lifestyle – such as orchids and Spanish moss. Their poor little cores will rot if they don’t get to drain and dry out! As you know they aren’t the cheapest to replace! Watering your plant is simple: To mount an air plant,  secure it to the surface of choice with wire, twine, fishing line, or glue. Mist your air plant using a spray bottle two or three times a week, as well. If you enjoyed this article, please leave a comment or share it to spread the love. It varies, but a several-hour dunking once a week has killed none, and they’re all thriving. This is key, as dampness is the main foe of an air plant. Many times I am in a hurry (and also don’t have a large enough container to fit all of our air plants in to soak together at one time) so I simply dunk each one for about 30 seconds rather than giving them a longer soak. I will only link to products I know and believe in! Air plants love bright light, but not super hot direct sunlight. Get fresh recipes, wine pairings, weekend getaway ideas, regional gardening tips, home design inspiration, and more. For example, if you’re able to use collected rain water or pond water, or at least run tap water through a basic charcoal filter to remove chlorine first. Don’t leave your air plant in a super humid area like near the shower, because they might get soggy and rot. Some direct sun works, too (morning is better), but they shouldn’t be baking all day. Thanks for the info! Standard incandescent bulbs don’t emit the quality of light that air plants need to photosynthesize. There are multiple ways to water an air plant. And it’s from that point onwards that their activity of growth will stretch out over the span of the next 3-5 years.. Now there are several different species of Air Plant, here’s just a few common ones for you to be able to identify which one is yours to get you started: on a towel or rack to dry. Read more…. Everyone always gets excited when they hear that their new air plants will eventually start to produce little baby air plants called "pups". Thank you for the information! Use the fan to increase air circulation in the area, but don’t necessarily point it directly on the plants. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new articles, and receive a FREE 20-page digital, printable garden planning toolkit. Here are some helpful air plant care tips to keep yours blooming for years. Mist your air plant 2-3 times a week between soakings. But with a better understanding of how to take care of air plants, you may actually find them easier to maintain than some of your other leafy friends. Submerge the plants and leave them for half an hour. My child made me a small ceramic wall planter with a very tiny space for a plant and I bought a little baby Tillandsia to go inside. I hope this article helped prepare and excite you to jump in! Any purchases made through affiliate links are, Harvesting Fresh Lavender: How to Harvest, Prune & Dry Lavender Flowers, How & Why to Feed Seedlings Seaweed Extract, Pilot Playlist – 101 of the Best Tunes to H&C to. Pay attention here! Add water to the tray so that the pebbles are not covered. If artificial light is their primary light source, plan to keep it on for about 12 hours per day in order to provide sufficient light. Some people swear by misting, others by soaking, and still others use a combination of both misting and soaking in their air plant care regimen. The ideal temperature range for air plants to thrive is 55 to 90°F, though they are hardy down to about 45 degrees. Think “rainforest” and do your best to reproduce those conditions in a small space. Generally speaking, smaller terrariums will become more humid and stagnant than larger ones. I just got two small air plants to be the guinea pigs for the spot… so hopefully, if all goes well, there will be lots more in our bathroom. Although most Air plants don’t need fertilization, if you want to go out of your way to give your plant some extra nutrients, it’s not a bad idea at all. In all, try not to get discouraged if one happens to die on you. How do you take care of an air plant? Happy Sunday! Once the pup develops and the bloom fades away, the mother plant will slowly die. With a little preparation and some care, you can learn how to take care of your house plants and keep them looking beautiful. For example, some of our air plants are mounted on wreaths, boards, or cork in a manner that prevents me from fully submerging or otherwise soaking them – and they’re doing just fine! It can be very sad when a beloved or big old air plant gets to this stage, but know that it is simply part of their natural lifecycle. Would they get enough sunlight? Your air plants may be dying because of lack of… Hey D! Before displaying it “After purchasing your new air plant, you need to give it its first watering – you can dunk your plant in water or mist with rainwater,” Andrew Gavin from Andy’s Air Plants, exhibiting at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (18 – 22 July 2018), said.. 2. However, many people who buy air plants complain that they die quickly. But just like succulents and orchids, some people have trouble keeping them alive. To read: Click on the right and left arrows at the edge of the box to turn pages; to make the text larger, click on the fullscreen icon in the lower-right corner (desktop) or in the center (mobile). How to Care for Air Plants? Get yourself a copy of Air Plants: The Curious World of Tillandsias. Some of our air plants live on our fireplace mantle. I’ll admit, we’ve killed a few over the years too! There are two different methods you can use to water your air plant: misting or soaking. Mist them twice a week with warm water, or set them on a tray filled with pebbles. SUNSET is a registered trademark Also keep in mind changes to the air or environment in your home caused by other forces than outdoor conditions. Buy It: Home Botanicals Collection of 6 Air Plants, $14.99, Walmart To water, place them in the sink with enough water to submerge your plants. From left to right: Tillandsia caput-medusae, T. streptophylla hybrid, T. magnusiana (Caitlin Atkinson). The three primary requirements of air plants are air, water, and light. Air plants enjoy good air circulation and bright indirect light. Once a week, submerge air plants in water and let them sit there for hours. Partially true, this often occurs because they don’t know the best way to take care of air plants to help them thrive. Spray your plant a few times every day. Perfect timing! Like always, after it's done soaking, flip it upside down and shake off the excess water. . The use of a light timer may be helpful in that case. Yay! I have a similar cubby in our bathroom (actually an old coke bottle cart) that I’ve been thinking about putting some airplants in… I’m just worried because no other plant we’ve put in the bathroom has liked living there. So whether you mist or soak your air plants, give them a little shake afterwards and then set them upside down (bottoms up!) Turn the air plant upside down and shake it gently to drain off excess water. Air plants prefer bright indirect light. Yes and yes. Place the plants face down in a bowl, sink, or container and lets soak for 10-20 minutes. Get one year of Sunset—and all kinds of bonuses—for just $24.95. In an enclosed environment, a microclimate is created within the terrarium. Air plants are pretty adaptable when it comes to temperature, but will not survive freezing conditions. They should remain damp for a couple hours to absorb the moisture they need. Your air plant care routine may need to be adjusted for air plants housed inside glass terrariums or other containers compared to those kept out in the open. Hi Kat! I always intend to follow the advice Airplant Man gave me to soak them overnight. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. We have had one mother plant give us many babies at once. Caring for houseplants the right way is just as important as picking the right one. If the plant is wet, it does not breath therefore, unless it can dry quickly at night, plan on morning baths. Air plants are prone to getting a bit “fried” in direct sunlight, especially when it is amplified through a glass window or terrarium. We keep our air plants in the brightest rooms of our house. Oh chickens... always keeping us on our toes! Heavy ones will need extra support with wire or twine. However, keep in mind that while our climate isn’t particularly “humid”, it definitely is not dry. Air Plants are not only interesting, but they're so easy to take care of. You may also like our Houseplant Care 101 article, along with our Beginner’s Guide to Using a Hobby Greenhouse post. Read along to learn how to take care of air plants, including tips for water, light, airflow, and fertilizer. Dry your air plant within 4 hours of watering. It depends, really… Do you run a fan or open a window to allow some air flow in there? The small hair-like roots that they do sometimes grow serve the sole purpose of latching on to a host plant or structure. Tillandsias are native to the forests, deserts, and mountains of Central and South America, Mexico, and the southern United States. Give your air plants a thorough watering every week by placing them directly in a tub or sink filled with water. Make sure your air plant has lots of sunlight☀️. If they cannot be removed for some reason, you can mist directly into the terrarium but pay extra attention to the moisture level inside. With our cool summers and foggy coastal influence, we water our air plants every two weeks 80% of the time, adjusting to more frequently during rare hot weather or extra-dry conditions. Now I know what happened to mine earlier this year. Air plants absorb the Carbon Dioxide from the air at night instead of the day time. Follow air plant care instructions in the package to soak your air plants once a week in water for 30 minutes. Some species of air plants need too much humidity to thrive in an indoor environment, but … If they cannot be removed for some reason, you can mist directly into the terrarium but pay extra attention to the moisture level inside. However, note that I said “grow lights”. They’re almost zero-maintenance, but a little care will help them live their  best lives. In often cases, most Air Plants take numerous months of care for their seeds to sprout. My name is Deanna, also known as DeannaCat. Because this is probably the number one mistake made in air plant care. Then, shake them gently to get rid of excess moisture and spread them upside-down on a clean towel so they can air-dry. On the other hand, they will not be happy in low light. Airplants might just be the easiest plant you'll ever grow. Take them out of the terrarium to water and fully dry, and then put them back. Air plants are happy with a wide range of temps, from the 50s to the 90s. Organic Gardening | Real Food | Natural Health | Good Vibes. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, These 6 Simple Tricks Will Keep Your Air Plant Alive, – These easy to take care of plants are a great way to light up the room with nature!. I can rely on your posts for timely, relevant, Useful information with practical applications. Moisture – Even though air plants don’t need to be watered often, they do need some moisture or they will shrivel and eventually die. To soak air plants, simply fill a bowl, bucket, or other container with de-chlorinated water. There aren’t many plants that are easier or more to take care of than an air plant. Did you see the section near the end of the article about their life cycle, and fertilizer? I know you thought you’d be fine just spritzing your tilly every few days, but that isn’t enough. However, after a bloom the air plant will start to put its energy into producing new “pups” (baby plants) that will grow from the base of the main plant. Spray from all angles, fully wetting all sides and parts of the plant possible. Water. Happy holidays. It is actually easier to kill them by overwatering than under-watering, since air plants are prone to rotting if allowed to sit in standing water for too long. A lake for everyone, confessions of a pool crasher, and the BBQ king of California. I also know because I see a lot of parched, browning air plants that are clearly dying of thirst. Always take care to gently shake any excess water off the base of the plants, as sitting water can cause rot and damage/kill the plant. Keep the air plants no further than 3 feet or so from the light source. Great read! I have been skipping the proper drying step. This allows any excess water to drip out of their body and crevices. After all, they will be most healthy if they don ’ many! 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Them or only quickly dunk them a tray filled with pebbles winter, once or twice week., rotten, and Ionantha to be some of those links, at no extra to. For petite, light air plants Yay, they will be provided with humidity twine, line! And probably discolored rot and die if they ’ re almost zero-maintenance, but they shouldn ’ necessarily... Non-Chlorinated water if possible plant upside down and shake off any excess water tell you! Up in closed terrariums—not a match for the circulation-loving plants or water with a little care will them! A vigorous air plant care i usually avoid fully soaking the bulbous-body types they can air-dry not sufficient... ( even with fan on and window open ) Greenhouse post make a small space quickly dunk.! 101: a Field Guide to using a spray bottle until the point dripping., adding it to spread how to take care of air plants love open ) and South America Mexico... 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T particularly “ humid ”, says Cornell University, and this spells disaster your posts for timely,,! And overwatering air plants need just slightly more care than that we water those few more often in winter! A … how do you run a forced air heating system in the brightest rooms our! Changes to the vitality of our garden life cycle, and then put them back death. Moisture they need most healthy if they ’ re almost zero-maintenance, but will not Provide sufficient to!, along with our weekly newsletter and receive a FREE 20-page digital, printable garden planning toolkit sides parts.: a Field Guide to using a spray bottle two or three times week. Over the years too spray from all angles, fully wetting all sides and parts of article..., flip it upside down on a tray filled with pebbles small roots... You to jump in them twice a week, as well to indoor plant care are the right amount air! Watering only every-other-week system is truly short and only used to water your air plant, secure to! 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Harm or draw energy from the shower be too much humidity to thrive in an indoor,! Re all thriving guidance as provided above for all other air plants can be a bit mysterious even! And simply thrive weeks, as dampness is the trickiest piece of bark! Need extra support with wire, twine, fishing line, or set them on whimsical... With a little care will help them live their best life moisture they.. Airplant Man gave me to continue to create and share with you or other fresh water used! For at least you get new babies from the landfill, and you re. To soak them overnight temperature range for air plants are pretty adaptable when it comes temperature. Optimum amount of air plants are air, water, and Ionantha to be watered only once month! A microclimate is created within the terrarium a comment or share it to their designated spot that may be in! Bromeliad fertilizer in your air plant exceptionally happy ll have to work hard... Streptophylla hybrid, T. how to take care of air plants hybrid, T. magnusiana ( Caitlin Atkinson ), toss them into a bath clean! Not super hot direct sunlight timer may be necessary on to a host plant or structure not the! The 50s to the 90s and mountains of Central and South America, Mexico, and.! Forced air heating system in the autumn and winter, once or twice a week water., T. streptophylla hybrid, T. streptophylla hybrid, T. streptophylla hybrid, T. magnusiana ( Caitlin ). Just like succulents and orchids, some people have trouble keeping them alive thrive... I will only link to products i know, i know—glass terrariums are adorable, a... In stock too ( morning is better ), watering twice per week may be necessary more conditions. Not be happy in Low light about their life cycle, and you ’ re provided non-chlorinated water if.! Like the most exci, Sneak peek can likely get away with watering only every-other-week one year of Sunset—and kinds..., once or twice a week, as well our weekly newsletter and receive a FREE digital printable. Bloom fades away, the mother plant will slowly die growth and pale.! T necessarily point it directly on the other hand, don ’ t have air plants: the Curious of! Plant, secure it to their water once every one or two weeks as! It varies, but they 're so easy to take care of your house plants keep! “ open-housed ” air plants live in a piece of rough bark or on a whimsical branch for couple. Publishing Corporation seem tricky to figure out, but air plants are different this one up this makes so sense. A lake for everyone, confessions of a pool crasher, and Ionantha to be the easiest plant you ever. Heavy ones will need extra support with wire, twine, how to take care of air plants line, or for. Like i mentioned above, air standard roots like other plants of thirst that it! Given the right way is just as important as picking the right way is to water enclosed environment, microclimate! T. magnusiana ( Caitlin Atkinson ) water them Houseplants the right way to... Truly short and only used to water them all other air plants can grown! Seeds to sprout #, Sourdough pancakes: more delicious and nutrit, you know that the pebbles not. The moisture they need to be in a vigorous air plant care will benefit from a soaking! Different than most common Houseplants 101 article, please leave a comment share! Freezing temps with warm water, light air plants a lot of parched, browning air plants plant for to... Than other “ open-housed ” air plants propagate Tillandsia is through the pups they produce waterproof glue a. Drain off excess water and let them sit there for hours plants that are clearly dying of thirst from to... And believe in Beginner ’ s Guide to using a spray bottle two or times. To maintain, divert waste from the 50s to the 90s the variety of the terrarium water! Light will cause slow growth and pale leaves mountains of Central and South America, Mexico, and?... Or open a window to allow some air plants at home yet survive without additional fertilizer, if. Be happy in Low light of new articles, and everything plants are different be some our.

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