Air Plants: Essential Care and the Fake News That Kills Them
Beloved for their strange appearance and creative potential, air plants are nature’s Tamagotchi. They’re pocket-sized, adorable, and easy to care for as long as you pay attention.
However, the arrival of the Depressed Plant Girl aesthetic (the Millennial version of the Crazy Cat Lady) unleashed tidal waves of click bait content, significantly diluting comprehensive air plant care resources. Frankly, the entire houseplant boom has left me feeling somewhat appropriated. I used houseplants to cope with mental illness long before it was an acceptable talking point – let alone cool.
More importantly, though, I feel a sense of responsibility to dispel the misconceptions that lead to untimely plant death. To use my horticulture tenure to cut through the fake news of houseplant pop culture, and to provide digestible resources that empower informed plant parenthood and, ultimately, save lives.
Air Plants: What Are They?
The genus Tillandsia (the scientific classification of air plants) includes roughly 650 individual species and dozens of hybrid variations. Their size ranges from a half inch in diameter to several feet wide with most adorning green, purple, gray, and red shades. Tillandsias are found all over the world, from Mexico to the Caribbean to Florida.
Arguably the most unique characteristic of the air plant is its soil-free lifestyle. Tillandsias are epiphytes, meaning they do not grow in soil and absorb water and nutrients through their foliage. Instead of growing in the ground, air plants sprout stiff aerial roots used to attach themselves to other plants or structures. Epiphytes are non-parasitic, meaning they do not harm or steal nutrients. As houseplants, their untethered nature creates endless possibilities for design and decor.
Debunking Common Air Plant Fake News
“It only needs to be watered once a month.”
In a word: no.
In certain climates, certain air plants can survive with once a month waterings. I will briefly cover these drought-tolerant Tillandsia species at the end of this article, as they are a unique subset of this plant genus.
The majority of air plant species, however, require much more frequent watering. Speaking generally, Tillandsias should be misted thoroughly 2 to 4 times a week, then turned upside down to dry. This prevents water from accumulating in the base of the plant, which can cause rot.
You can easily identify if your air plant is being underwatered by keeping an eye on the leaves. Wide-leaf species will begin to curl inward if they are dehydrated as a means of preventing moisture from escaping. Air plants with more branch-like leaves will become dry and brown at the tips. If this occurs, add an extra misting each week.
Not to be picky, but the type of water you use is just as important as how often your air plant is watered. Avoid using softened or distilled waters, which contain too many and not enough minerals, respectively. Spring water or rain water is considered the top choice, but, in most cases, tap water will do just fine. Be sure to let the water sit uncovered for 24 hours to allow chlorine to evaporate.
“You can put them anywhere”
The freedom of epiphytic plants is invigorating. Epiphytes are lighter, smaller, and forego messy soil and expensive pots. Plus, their aerial roots present endless possibilities for mounting and hanging designs.
But, just like every other type of plant, they have minimum requirements for light and air circulation. The ideal location for an air plant is somewhere it receives 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight, such as a room with a south-facing window that is naturally well-lit for most of the day.
Personally, I like to keep a few plants on my desk, which is in a corner with poor natural lighting. To keep my Tillandsias healthy, I rotate my plants between my desk and their regular hang out spot each morning. It’s an easy compromise that keeps everyone happy – yet another benefit of Tillandsias.
If you have absolutely no access to light, both you and your Tillandsia will benefit greatly from an artificial grow light. One online search will give you thousands of options across size, color, and price range.
“They Live on Air”
Technically this is somewhat correct, and the misunderstanding is quite understandable. Tillandsias derive their nutrients from a medley of molecules in the air, which they absorb through pores on their leaves known as trichomes (yes, like marijuana). In addition to misting, maintaining higher humidity levels helps keep air plants very happy. If you live at high elevations, in a desert, or use a heater in your home, consider adding additional moisture to the air around your houseplants. There are several ways to do this; here are the most common two:
Get a small humidifier and simple hygrometer (which measures humidity levels) to keep near your air plants. The ideal humidity range for Tillandsias is 50% to 70%.
Create a terrarium environment for your air plants to live in. The most common terrarium style is a glass enclosure with complementary decor like moss, twigs, or beach glass. Terrariums are beautiful and can promote Tillandsia growth and flowering, but placing an air plant in an enclosed space introduces new care requirements. If you’re up for the challenge, find a guide for designing a healthy air plant terrarium. I would suggest this one by Air Plant Design Studio.
Like all plants, Tillandsias benefit greatly from being fertilized. An air plant’s natural environment is rich with decaying organic matter, which releases elements such as nitrogen. Assuming your home is free of decomposition, a Tillandsia-specific fertilizer used every 1 to 3 months greatly increases the chance your air plant will flower and produce offshoots (known as pups).
A Quick Note on Drought-Tolerant Air Plants
As I mentioned at the start of this guide, there are a handful of Tillandsia species that defy these care guidelines. This unique group of air plants are classified as xeric (zeer-ick) Tillandsias.
Their highly exaggerated trichome development is ideal for living in dry climates and gives them an easily identifiable fuzzy appearance. Xeric Tillandsias prefer more direct light than other air plant species. The recommended way to water xeric Tillandsia species is by gently dunking them into the air plant-friendly water. Again drying them upside down and in a place with good airflow. These species should be handled gently and as little as possible to avoid damaging the delicate trichomes.
Personally, I think xeric Tillandsia species are perfect for people trying their hand at air plants. This list by The Air Plant Design Studio provides plenty of different species to look for at your local nursery.
Remember: beautiful plant-centric home decor begins and ends with healthy plants.
Happy growing!