Air plants are plants which are part of the genus “Tillandsia.” The common name, air plant, comes from the fact that they have adapted to grow without any soil; they receive nutrients from air and water. The fact that they do not require soil leaves the door wide open for fun and unique ways to display them. Although they do not need any soil or substrate, they do need light, water, and air.

Air plants are native to south and central America, the Caribbean, many parts of Mexico, as well as parts of the southeast United States. They grow on the trunks and branches of larger trees, benefiting from the shade and high humidity of the forest. Despite being found mostly in rainforest climates, some species have adapted to live in the desert and have been found growing from the branches of cacti or succulents.

While some air plants can grow in arid desert conditions, air plants are not the same thing as cacti or succulents. They are part of the Bromeliaceae family, making them closer related to the pineapple than any cactus. The majority of air plants are a type of epiphyte, meaning they do not need soil to absorb nutrients and minerals.

Air plants absorb water (and minerals and nutrients) through their leaves using small hairy-looking structures called trichomes. With this in mind, it is important that the leaves are the target area for water, rather than the base of the plant.

The best type of water to use for an air plant is pond water, aquarium water, or rain water, as it contains the most nutrients and minerals. However, the next best choice of water would be drinking water (spring water) or tap water. Tap water should be left out for 24 hours to allow any chlorine to evaporate before using on plants.

There are a few main ways air plants can be watered: misting, dunking, or soaking.

• If using the misting method, heavily mist the entire air plant, focusing on the leaves, every 1-5 days. You can leave it in its display, but be sure water does not pool in the holder or base of the plant. If it does, simply shake/pour out any water droplets. The entire plant should be fully dry within 4 hours to prevent rot. If it is still wet, remove from holder and let dry upside down before returning.
• For dunking, submerge the entire plant in water and quickly remove, or run the plant under room temperature water to wet all the leaves, repeating every 2-5 days. Shake out any excess water from the base of the plant before returning to holder. The entire plant should be fully dry within 4 hours to prevent rot. If it is still wet, remove from holder and let dry upside down before returning.
• The soaking method is preferred among most air plant enthusiasts, as it is the least frequent. Submerge the entire air plant in a cup or bowl of water for 30 minutes every 1-2 weeks. Be sure to shake any excess water from the base of the plant and dry it upside down after soaking, in an area with good ventilation and/or light. The entire plant should be fully dry within 4 hours to prevent rot.

For best drying results, water plants in the morning or the warmest part of the day. Air plants should be completely dry by sundown, when they begin to perform Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, or CAM, Photosynthesis. During CAM photosynthesis, plants ‘breathe’ at night by opening small pores called stomata, and therefore should be dry to collect carbon dioxide. It is also important to note that any budding air plant should not be submerged in water and the flower/inflorescence should be kept dry to prolong the life of the bloom.

The best way to water your air plant may even be a combination of these above methods, depending on the surrounding temperature, humidity, and/or light. Keep in mind that plants in dry or hot conditions will need more frequent waterings, while those in more humid or cool to warm conditions can be watered less often. Air plants will generally need more water during the summer and spring, and less water during the winter and fall. Your plant will show you it needs more water when the leaves are extremely curly, the base looks wrinkled, or the tips of the leaves have dried and turned brown. Have fun exploring the best watering schedule for your air plant, and don’t be afraid to mess up, as air plants are quite adaptable and hardy plants!

Air plants thrive in bright indirect light. They are naturally found on the trunks and branches of other trees, shaded by those leaves, receiving lots of filtered light. Air plants placed in full sun can get sunburned, evident by brown splotchy patches on the leaves which are more pronounced when wet. While some species can handle more light, is it best to “air” on the side of caution when choosing a home for your air plant. The general rule of thumb is that species with more trichomes, or more fuzzy looking, and those with wider leaves can take more direct sun. To be sure if your plant can withstand brighter light, feel free to shoot us an email with a photo to inquire.

Indoors, air plants can be placed in front of a window that receives no direct sun rays, or an east-facing window which only gets morning sun. If the window is west-facing or receives direct afternoon sun, place the air plant next to or 1-5 feet away from the window. Feel free to move plants closer to the window from November-March, when the sunlight is naturally less intense. If no natural light source is available, artificial fluorescent light is fine for up to 12 hours, with the plant about 6-35 inches from the bulb.

Outdoors, air plants should be kept in a shaded area, under a patio, tree, or other overhang. A few hours of morning sun is fine, but most air plants should not be exposed to long hours of direct sun during the more intense daytime and afternoon light. Keep an eye to ensure plants do not get too much direct sun from April-May.

The ideal temperature for an air plant is 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Indoor is the perfect temperature for plants year-round, but keep in mind that heaters and air conditioners may effect the amount of water your air plant needs. Although air plants can survive in lower temperatures, they should never freeze or frost over. Consider this if keeping plants outdoors in cooler months.

Air plants should not be planted in soil, moss, or water. As their name suggests, air is their preferred substrate. Although they can grow roots in the right conditions, the purpose is solely to anchor onto a spot, not to absorb water and nutrients like other plants’ roots. In fact, air plant roots can be snipped off without injuring the plant at all. Air plants should never be covered with soil fully or partially, and should never have any part sitting in water for an extended period of time. A select few species of tillandsias are the exception to the rule and can be planted in soil, but the vast majority of the over 650 species are soil-free. If you would like to add an air plant to a terrarium or planted display, it is best to place them up on another plant, or mounted on a rock or log. For glass orb displays, they can be sitting on a bed of sand, but ensure that it is not wet or covering the leaves. Wherever you decide to place your air plant, it should have ample air flow.

There is specialized tillandsia fertilizer which can be used for air plants. Although not necessary, fertilizer can help boost growth rate, support blooming flowers, and strengthen reproductive processes. It is recommended to use fertilizer once every month during the growing season (April-October) and every other month or less during the winter season (November-March). The ideal fertilizer is liquid fertilizer specially formulated for tillandsias, free of harmful minerals and containing a form of nitrogen easily used by the plant. Normal potted plant fertilizer can burn air plant leaves.

One of the great things about air plants is that they grow slowly, and in turn die very slowly as well. In short, yes air plants begin their decline after they flower, but for many specimens, this is only the halfway mark of their life. After flowering or producing an inflorescence, if in the right conditions, air plants will begin to produce offsets called pups from its base. The mother plant will continue to transfer energy into the pups until finally wilting away. The pups can be left attached, or removed once at least half as large as the mother plant.

There are two main reasons why air plants die: over-watering and under-watering. Plants that have been over-watered will have a soft base, and may fall apart when moved. One way to check is to lightly tug on the newest leaves; if they easily come out and have black at the bottom, the plant has rotted and cannot be saved. Plants that are under-watered will often feel dry to the touch and may lose their green or silver hue. It is true that some plants may not be saveable, but some under-watered plants can be brought back to health. Give an under-watered plant a good long soak (up to 8 hours) and ensure the lighting conditions are proper.

It is commonly thought that plants and specifically air plants can improve air quality. Despite the name ‘air’ plants, tillandsias are not particularly efficient at purifying air. Like most plants, the amount of air which is expelled during photosynthesis is negligible when considering the scale of an entire home or even room. Although filling your home with air plants may not make your air any clearer, it definitely has many other emotional and mental health benefits.

Studies have shown that plants have immensely positive benefits on human mental health. Seeing and being around plants can help you feel more calm by lowering anxiety. Tending to plants can also improve attention, concentration, and memory through the process of constantly checking on them and giving them care based on observation. Air plants in particular spark creativity, with the endless display methods since they do not need soil. Being around plants is also said to improve your self-esteem and overall health; give your plant some water and give yourself some water, right?