Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Understanding Air Plants

Unlike other plants, air plants like the Blushing Bride (Tillandsia ionantha) and the King air plant or Giant Tillandsia (Tillandsia xerographica) do not root into the soil. Instead, they cling to other plants for support. They are non-parasitic and derive their water and nutrients from air, rain and organic debris. Tiny scales on their leaves absorb nutrients directly from the air and help shade the plant from a scorching sun.

They can be hard to identify because of the multitude of species and because two plants of the same variety can look completely different depending on the climate. Those with silver foliage tend to be the most drought tolerant, while those with greener foliage dry out faster.

How to Grow Air Plants

Air plants don't require soil but thrive with proper care and attention to their environment. Following the right steps will help your air plants flourish well.

Because they are epiphytes, air plants grow on other plants and not in the ground. Air plants can be grown on a branch with orchids as they like the same conditions, or they can be cultivated as indoor plants.

Growing air plants from the tiny seeds produced by the flower is a challenging process and takes four to five years to yield a plant. Consider purchasing your air plants from Lowe’s live plant delivery service for convenience.

Air plants only bloom once in their lifetime, so the best way to propagate air plants is by removing their offsets or pups. Just before the plant blooms, it will reproduce by growing offsets from its base.

Remove the offset from the mother plant when it is at least one-third the parent's size. Pinch it off at the site where it is attached and place it in bright, indirect sunlight. Take extra care of the new plant until it is established.

How to Care for Air Plants

Learning how to grow air plants is easy once you know what they need. The following steps must be observed when taking care of air plants.

Place your air plants in bright, indirect sunlight. They need at least four to six hours of filtered sunlight every day. If you keep them well watered, they can tolerate a more direct sun and longer exposure. But as a general rule, direct sunlight should always be avoided.

Good to Know

If your plant looks pale and white, it could be getting too much sun exposure. Whereas if the plant is losing leaves and doesn't seem to be growing, it might need more sunlight.

Although air plants have only a few short roots, they do need to be watered regularly. Use room-temperature tap water or rainwater, but never softened water, as the higher salt content can clog the leaves and prevent them from absorbing nutrients.

Once a week, submerge your plant in water and let it sit for some time. Here is how you can do this:

In a bowl, fill in enough water to submerge the plant entirely.
Soak the plant for about half an hour.
After it soaks, dry the plant by gently giving it a shake or two and laying it upside down on a soft towel.
Place them back in their designated area.

Tip

After a period of neglect, soaking also helps revive dry plants. Submerge the whole plant in water for about two to three hours. Dry it off completely to discourage rot.

Air plants don't generally need fertilizers, but an occasional application may help your plants thrive. Fertilize your air plants once or twice a month with water-soluble fertilizer for bromeliads, orchids or air plants. Follow these methods to efficiently fertilize your air plants:

Method 1:

When watering your plant, add the fertilizer at ¼ of the recommended strength. This ensures proper fertilization of the plants.

Method 2:

For smaller plants, use the misting method. Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water and add the water-soluble fertilizer according to product instructions. Spray the plant thoroughly, ensuring all surfaces are coated.

Caution

Always wear rubber gloves and safety goggles when handling fertilizer.

Pests and Problems

Air plants are pretty pest-resistant but can occasionally attract scale insects and mealybugs. If your plant has an infestation, treat it with a pesticide. If the infestation is not too severe, remove the insects by hand with the help of a damp cotton swab or simply move the plants outside and let the birds handle the pests for you.

Do not let your plant soak for long hours, as this can cause dampness and rot. Too much moisture can lead the plant to rot from the inside out.

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Lawn & Garden

How to Grow and Care for Air Plants