10+ AIR PLANT CARE TIPS you need to know about!

Air Plant Care Tips from varieties, species, maintenance, temperature & lighting, air flow, blooming, cleaning pests, color dye on air plants.

10 best air plant care tips to keep the most amazing plants in top shape! Why? Because they are epiphytes, which means they grow without soil and the varieties are just spectacular. They are so special because they have an incredible ability to absorb water and nutrients from the air through their leaves, making them so low maintenance.

The ‘air plant’, Tillandsia; genus is known for growing without soil and use air alone to survive. This post will go over all you need to known on how to care for air plants; where are air plants from, varieties, species, maintenance (watering by dunking & misting), temperature & lighting, air flow, blooming, cleaning brown leaves, pests and even about color dye on air plants . Let’s go over each one so you can grow your collection.

You do have to enjoy air plants because they are slow growers. The exception to this is the the spanish moss, this one will grow very quickly.

Air plants are so different, very efficient in absorbing and conserving water and energy.

Now, the oils in your skin are not good for your air plants. Don’t over handle them and try to hold them by the base instead of the leaves.

One of the most important things to be aware of, when learning about air plant care tips, is that the roots are only to hold on to a surface and not to absorb nutrients. Because of this, they are not parasitic, they do not absorb the nutrient from their host.

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT AIR PLANTS!

My husband took me to two places a couple of years ago and I always have to go back and visit to see what new air plant they get. Go check on your favorite local garden centers and they will usually have amazing selection of air plants.

They always have such beautiful displays of air plants! And what I love most is that they provide you with any information regarding air plant care tips.

I get so many ideas when I go visit, the possibilities to display air plants are endless.

Check out my post ’11 CREATIVE DECOR COFFEE TABLE | DIY’ to get decorate with air plants! READ HERE!

And garden centers get creative with the displays! They provide so much inspiration.

Another of my favorites are succulents! You want to make an arrangement with the most beautiful succulent? Check out my post ‘SUCCULENT GARDEN DIY | DESERT ROSE BEAUTY!’ READ HERE!

1. WHERE ARE AIR PLANTS FROM

Another interesting fact about air plants is where they are from.

The origin of your plant will impact how you care for your air plant.

It is so interesting, because they originate from both tropical environments, including mountains and they are also from desert environments.

The main reason that it is important to know where is your air plant is from and the environments it grows in, to provide the correct air plant care when it comes to amount of natural light and watering. Let’s explore where they are from:

LOCATION	Native to South of the United States; Florida, Georgia and a few in Texas
	Mexico, Central and South America
GROW IN	Desert, Cloud Forest and Mountains
GROW ON	Naturally on rocks and trees.
	Attach to objects
	Epiphytes: Grow on other plants

2. AIR PLANT VARIETIES

Now that you know where air plants from, we can go over specifics for each type; Xeric Variety and Mesic Variety.

This information will help you physically identify the type you have in order to provide the right air plant care.

XERIC VARIETY	Desert Plant (dry climate)
	Leaves have fuzzy look.
	Tolerates more light but less water
	Have thicker leaves and prefer dry areas.
MESIC VARIETY	Tropical / Mountain (humid climate)
	Leaves are smooth and green.
	Have thinner leaves and prefer wet areas, high humidity.
	Tolerates lower light but requires more watering

So many species are available, but my favorite is the tillandsia xerographica. The large size and leaves that trail on them as they grow larger is an amazing and striking feature.

3. SPECIES OF AIR PLANTS

Let me tell you a little secret, the greatest part about air plants is that if you don’t water it weekly the leaves will curl inward and give you a different look that you may end up loving. You just need to be careful and not overdo the period you don’t water to be too long.

AMOUNT OF SPECIES	Over 600 Species in the wild
NATURAL HYBRIDS	Unique types
	Hybridize with other Tillandsia, making an altogether new species
MAN MADE HYBRIDS	Most Unique types
FRAGRANT AIR PLANT	Most Fragrant beautiful smell is from the Tallandsia Crocata

4. AIR PLANT MAINTENANCE CARE TIPS

This is the main reason I love air plant, the maintenance is so easy!

Talking about air plants tips, have you ready my post ‘I really love repurposing items to store, such a great tip!’ READ HERE FOR GREAT ORGANIZING PLANT TIPS!

How do I know the air plant is thirsty?

The air plant will let you know when it is thirsty:

• Leaves curl when the air plant is dry and needs a drink.
• The leaves will fold on itself.

How to I know when I have water the air plant thoroughly?

On the Xeric Variety, when watered the silver fuzzy color turns darker green. The trichomes get wet (this is the white fuzz on the leaves) and have had enough water, they become transparent and allows the green to be visible.

Follow the chart below for specifics on watering outdoors or indoors for your air plants. Depending on the location, you will water accordingly, but keep in mind that the type of air plant and humidity present will fluctuate and needs may need to be adjusted. The chart below is a good guide for most environments.

We will go over Outdoor watering, indoor watering, Dunking methods and misting air plants.

Watering Air Plant Care Tips

The watering schedule depends on the type of air plant you have and wether you are keeping it indoor or outdoors.

Here is a quick guide on watering:

WATERING CARE TIPS
Outdoor	They prefer outdoor natural watering but is not necessary.
	Best to mount horizontal or upside down for trailing plants.
	Rain water will run by it and will be absorbed by the leaves.
Indoor	Use filtered water when possible.
	Or allow water to stay out overnight to get chlorine to evaporate.
	Thicker leaves need watering more often than the thinner leaves.
	Add small amount of fertilizer to water you are dunking in.
DUNKING METHODS
Option 1	Dunk quickly 2 -4 times a week for 20 minutes
Option 2	Once a week soaker method; 1-2 hour.

The most important thing to keep in mind when watering is not to allow the water to pool in the middle core of the plant. Make sure to always shake your plant while upside down until all the water is out of the interior of the plant.

If you use fertilizer, make sure that it is only 1/4 of the strength in order not to burn the plant.

Misting Air Plant Care Tips

Misting is not necessary, but when you want more of a personal one on one relationship with your plant, this is a great way.

MISTING CARE TIPS	Misting daily is a great method when it is a Mesic air plant specie.
	Not necessary if you prefer the dunking method.
	You may add a small amount of fertilizer once a week to the mist bottle, they don’t require a lot of nutrients
	Chemicals or organic fertilizers can burn leaves. Use a 1/3 of the strength to prevent any damage.
	Is best to under fertilize than over fertilize our air plant.

Type of Water to Use when Taking Care for an Air Plant.

The water you use is critical to the growth of your air plants and how well it does.

I am providing a chart, but it is important to water your air plants as needed, rather than to get special water. The only ones I would stay clear from are the ones below that show ‘Do Not Use’.

Enjoy the process of watering, it is an opportunity to connect with your plants, see if they are about to bloom, check for diseases or if it is growing babies and just bond.

BEST WATER SOURCE	Rain Water is the absolute best water source.
SECOND BEST WATER SOURCE	Filtered Water
THIRDS WATER SOURCE	Sink Water
	If you can, leave it out for 24 hours and the chlorine will dissipate.
DO NOT USE!	Water that contains a softener
	Distilled Water

5. WHAT IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE FOR AN AIR PLANT?

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS	Do not exceed a couple of hours of direct sunlight
	8 hours of indirect sunlight
	60 – 90 degrees is best
	Air Plants are not frost hardy.

To get inspired by air plants for your decorating, check out my post ‘BEST WAYS OF DECORATING WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT! READ HERE

6. WHY AIR FLOW IS SO CRITICAL FOR AIR PLANTS.

I have shown ways to display on some of my posts.

You can find so many ways to display your air plants in very dramatic ways without enclosing them completely.

AIR TURNS INTO NUTRIENTS	Air Plants require air flow to get nutrients.
	Provide good air flow.
	Air Plants can purify the air at nights. It would require thousands of them in a room, but they are great plants for the environment.

For a great idea for how to decorate with Air Plants and still have great air flow check out ‘Creative Air Plant Display idea DIY’. READ HERE!

SHOP HERE!

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ON YOUR WAY!

You have so many tips to grow your favorite air plants. I can’t wait to hear what you are adding to your collection!

Stay Creative my friends.

Your Cocoon Awaits you!

ARE YOU READY TO CREATE YOUR RAINBOW?!

DON’T LEAVE YET!

Check out more gardening tips!

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