How to Care for Air Plants
Learn more about air plant care below!
At the Good Earth, we love air plants! As the name implies, air plants absorb nutrients and water through specialized scales on their leaves called trichomes. The ability to survive without roots classifies air plants, or Tillandsia, as epiphytes. In nature, air plants can be found across a variety of environments, from jungles, to mountain tops, and even at sea level.
Care for Air Plants
Air plants require bright, filtered light in your home. If placed outside during the warmer months, they will appreciate a sheltered location on a patio or porch. As epiphytes, Tillandsia have special watering requirements. Plan to mist once to twice a week, and be prepared to adjust your watering schedule with the humidity of your home! Alternatively, you can dunk your air plant in water and then shake off any excess water. As part of your regular watering routine, you can apply a water soluble fertilizer diluted to one-quarter strength once a month to encourage growth and flowering. Choose a fertilizer that is low in copper. Your Tillandsia may reward proper placement and care with a striking, colorful bloom!
How to Display Air Plants
Since air plants don’t require roots to survive, you can think outside traditional pottery when deciding how to exhibit them! Driftwood, seashells, and glass hanging planters provide a beautiful setting for Tillandsia. After you choose your media, attach the air plant with a wire or by using an adhesive like a low-temperature hot glue or E6000. Try grouping air plants of different varieties and colors for a modern display, or place one against a contrasting texture for a unique touch in your room or office.
The most important consideration in mounting your Tillandsia is ensuring that the site has good drainage. Allowing the air plant to sit in water results in rot, so be sure to provide drainage holes or a slope for runoff of excess water. If your air plant grows roots, don’t cover them in soil! Instead, leave them exposed to the air.
Troubleshooting
Curling leaves indicate dehydration. You can soak your air plant up to fifteen minutes to revive it, shaking off excess water. You probably need to water more frequently.
A soft base can mean the opposite problem—overwatering! Try watering less and consider moving the air plant to an area with better air flow, but at this point you may need to replace your Tillandsia.