As their name suggests, these plants grow in the air and do not need soil to survive. Once you know how to care for them, nothing is easier than brightening your home with these gorgeous indoor plants. With their interesting foliage and flowers, they create a modern, designer look that requires little effort to maintain.
The flowers tend to be brightly colored and often emerge from bracts, which are modified, petal-like leaves. These flowers add another layer of interest when they appear. In some species, the leaves also change color as the flower buds begin to develop, forming a skirt of red or pink foliage to accompany the flowers.
These little treasures come in a range of shapes, textures and colours, so choose a few contrasting varieties to build an eye-catching collection. Perhaps this versatility is what makes it one of the best indoor plants to grow. They can also be grown outdoors in warmer, humid climates.
Air Plant Care Guide – Expert Tips and Tricks
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All air plants are easy to care for, and because they take up so little space, they are great for gardens in small rooms and apartments.
Although they require very little maintenance, you will need to know how to properly care for air plants so that they truly thrive.
- The first rule when it comes to caring for air plants is Never plant them in soil. It will be too wet for them and they will then rot and die.
- Air plants thrive at a reasonable rate Humid weatherso it can be a good choice for bathroom plants.
- Do not place air plants near windows Where there is direct sunlight for long periods of the day, the heat of the sun will be excessive.
- It is only necessary that Mist your air plants Once or twice a week.
- To give your air plants a boost, it’s a good idea to do this Feed them with specialized plant fertilizers During the spring and summer, which helps its growth. You can reduce this at other times of the year.
How much sunlight do epiphytes need?
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Simply display them on a dry surface in a bright area for a great idea for indoor plants in your home. Keep it out of direct sunlight, preferably in a humid environment, such as a kitchen or bathroom. If your home receives little natural sunlight, choose green-leaved varieties such as Tillandsia bulbosa and Tillandsia cyanea or try the silvery Tillandsia xerographica in sunny locations.
Keep all epiphytes, including desert-dwelling species, away from south-facing windows, which may burn them during the summer months. Also don’t plant it near radiators and heated floors.
What is the best temperature for air plants?
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Most air plants will be happy in an average home environment – their ideal temperatures are between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit although they will tolerate hotter and cooler conditions as well. A small group, including Tillandsia aeranthos, can handle temperatures a few degrees below the freezing point. Check labels carefully for the temperature tolerance of individual plants, to see what your selections will please you with.
Good airflow also helps keep these plants healthy. So, from spring to fall when weather permits, open windows to keep them circulating and increase humidity levels.
How to feed air plants
These plants will increase growth and flowering if given a specialized fertilizer for epiphytes once a week in spring and summer and twice a month in fall and winter. To feed, simply add fertilizer to water in a tray or spray bottle.
Although they are one of the best tropical plants to grow, these elegant treasures are hardy and tolerant, so don’t worry if you forget to feed them from time to time. However, never be tempted to add double the amount of fertilizer to make up for missed applications, as this may do more harm than good and you may see your air plant turn brown.
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Where to place air plants
Since epiphytes don’t need soil to survive, the sky’s the limit when displaying them. You can place them in shells, place them on a sand base in a glass bowl or hanging tealight holder as an indoor hanging plant, or place them on a decorative piece of wood or on a rock. The easiest way to display your plants is to simply place them on their stand or in a glass container, but don’t push them too far into the crust or mossy surface, as their base will not be able to dry properly after misting. Which may lead to its rotting.
If you want to create a more ambitious display, perhaps attaching your plants to rocks or crystals, or hanging them upside down from a peel suspended from the ceiling, you will need to glue them in place.
Common pests and diseases of epiphytes
Air plants rarely suffer from pest or disease attacks, making them one of the lowest-maintenance indoor plants. They are one of the best plants for beginners because they have very few problems, and while we may have to protect other plants from common houseplant pests like thrips or mealybugs, these little beauties have never been affected so far.
What are epiphytes?
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Air plants are a type of bromeliad and belong to the Tillandsia group. In the wild, they are found growing on other plants or rocks and are known as epiphytes. This means that they absorb nutrients and moisture through their leaves rather than through a network of roots, although they may develop “anchoring roots” that help them attach to their host.
If you look closely at the foliage, you will notice that it is covered in what look like tiny hairs. In fact, these are specialized scales, or trichomes, that help them absorb water. Plants that have a lot of them will have a silvery or fluffy appearance and come from desert regions, while dark green species have fewer trichomes and hail from tropical forests. This means that air plants are ideally suited for creating tropical garden ideas indoors and outdoors.
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common questions
How should I water my air plant?
To water an air plant, soak it in a shallow dish of lukewarm rainwater or distilled water once or twice a week – water less frequently in winter when temperatures and growth rates are lower.
How to make more air plants?
After the air plant has finished blooming, remove the faded flower stalk to allow the plant to focus on growing new leaves rather than making seeds.
To create new plants to increase your collection, you can separate the pups when they reach a third of their mother’s size and simply plant them as usual, watering and feeding them as described above – it’s that easy.
Can you keep air plants in the bathroom?
The simple answer is yes. In fact, air plants are some of the best bathroom plants. Bathrooms are often more humid than other areas of the home, and air plants draw moisture from the air through their leaves. The more moisture in the air, the healthier the plant.
Just make sure you keep it in a bathroom that gets a good amount of natural light and keep your plant out of direct sunlight.
Obviously, air plants make a great choice for low-maintenance houseplant decor, as they can add charm and beauty to any space. Using these super simple tips, you’ll be able to create a thriving collection in no time.
