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Air Plants: How to Care for Air Plants (Tillandsia) | The Old Farmer's Almanac

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Air Plants

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Tillandsia spp.
Plant Type
Houseplant
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Part Sun
Bloom Time
Varies
Flower Color
Multicolor
Orange
Pink
Purple
Red
White
Yellow
Hardiness Zone
9
10
11
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How to Grow and Care for Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Catherine Boeckmann
November 30, 2023
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Unique air plants can thrive indoors without using any soil at all. However, they need proper care. Learn how often to water air plants and how to keep them alive!

Members of the bromeliad family, air plants are “epiphytic,” meaning that they rely on the moisture and nutrients in the atmosphere to grow and thrive while clinging to a tree or other supports, such as rocks. 

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Planting
  • No potting soil is needed.
  • The air plant can be placed in hanging glass globes or shells. Any small shallow container will work, or you can attach the plant to a wall hanging. 
  • Make sure the container you choose does not retain water, as air plants may rot if they aren’t allowed to dry off. 
  • Secure the plant with fishing line or wire if necessary.
  • Plants should be handled as little as possible to avoid damage to the leaves.
  • Air plants grow best in a bright window, but not in direct sunlight. Supplemental lighting can be beneficial; use an full-spectrum LED or fluorescent bulb.
  • Air plants need good air circulation.
  • Good spots for air plants are a window near the sink in the kitchen or a bathroom window. The humidity from washing dishes or taking a shower will keep the plants happy! 
Growing

How to Care for Air Plants

  • Mist air plants with water every 2 to 3 days or “bathe” the plant by immersing it in room-temperature water for 30 minutes every 7 to 10 days. If soaking the plant, lay it face down on a paper towel to dry out before putting it back in its container.
  • Mist occasionally with diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer.
  • Cut off any dead leaves. 
  • If the plant develops brown tips, they can be trimmed off. This is often a sign that the plant isn’t getting enough water or is being kept in an area that is too dry. 
  • Air plants grow offsets—called “pups”—from the base of the mother plant. When the pups are a third of the size of the mother, they can be separated from the mother plant and grown on their own. 
Recommended Varieties

Air plant flowers come in many shapes and colors from coral, to pinks and purples.

Air plants are divided into two categories: mesic and xeric. 

  • Mesic air plants come from moderately humid regions such as South American rainforests. They thrive in a canopy of trees and prefer more filtered light than xeric air plants. The leaves are a deep green, smooth, and slightly cupped. 
  • Xeric air plants are from desert-like climates and often grow on rocks. Their wide leaves are gray and fuzzy which allow a larger surface area to absorb water and light.

Gardening Products

Wit and Wisdom
  • The only purpose of air plant roots is to anchor them to whatever they are growing on.
  • The fuzzier the leaves are, the drier the air the plant can tolerate.
  • Though it may look like dead moss hanging from a tree, Spanish moss is a type of air plant!
  • Air plants are related to pineapples; both are members of the bromeliad family.
Pests/Diseases

Pests are not common on air plants. Occasionally scale insects and mealybugs can be found on the plants.

If air plants are not receiving enough water, the tips of their leaves may turn brown or yellow. Trim these off and adjust your soaking schedule, or increase humidity. 

Houseplant Guides

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Comments

ky (not verified)

9 months ago

I bought my first airplant on etsy from a shop called Succapunch. I live in a high mountain desert so plants that like warmth have been difficult to care for. After I figured out what indirect light means, and started using the soaking method, my air plants have been absolutely thriving. I'm sure it will vary for everyone but it works for me.