What’s Up With Air Plants?

Almost overnight, air plants have become the new houseplant obsession. They’re a diverse group of plants with quirky shapes and exotic flowers that bring to mind both aliens and sea anemones. Many people think air plants are so named because they need only air to survive but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, air plants require special care that’s unique to them. Today, I’ll discuss what air plants need to happily grow indoors, so read on to find out what’s really up with air plants!

Tillandsias, commonly known as air plants, are epiphytes which means they attach themselves to other plants or trees and receive nourishment from the rainfall, decaying matter and occasional bird droppings that occur in the tropical environments where they naturally grow. They don’t take nutrients away from their hosts but only hitch a ride so that they, too, can enjoy the same beneficial nutrients.

Indoors, the thing that really sets air plants apart from other houseplants is that they need no soil to survive. That’s right, you don’t need to pot them up; their roots only serve to anchor them and do not take up nutrients. But all plants need nourishment and, if they’re not getting that from soil or their natural outdoor habitat, how do we provide them with what they need? The answer is simple. When growing air plants in our homes, we need to feed them and mimic their natural environment as much as possible in order for them to not only survive but thrive!

TEMPERATURE

Air plants are usually happy in the same warm temperatures that we enjoy in our homes. Just remember that they’re tropical and avoid placing them on drafty, cold windowsills or leaving them in unheated rooms.

AIR

Air plants love good air circulation! When you think about them growing in trees, they’re constantly buffeted by wind and breezes. You can circulate the air at home by simply running a small fan nearby but I prefer to crack open a window for a while whenever outside temperatures permit. This provides not only gentle air movement but some extra humidity as well.

LIGHT

Morning sun is always appreciated by air plants but avoid intense afternoon sunlight especially in the spring and summer months. Filtered bright light throughout the day is ideal, much like what they would receive naturally under the tree canopy.

WATER

In the tropical places where many air plants grow, there’s not only a lot of humidity in the air, there’s also a lot of drenching rainfall. Some air plants, however, grow in desert habitats and have adapted to survive with little water other than dew. Since there are many different types of air plants now available, it’s probably a good idea to research your plants before buying. It helps to know where they come from with respect to moisture needs, but the general rule of thumb for assessing how much water your air plants need is to look at their leaves – thin leaved plants usually require more moisture while wider leaves need less.

With most air plants, consistent watering is the key to success! Occasional misting can help provide immediate humidity but since it’s winter here and my home has dry, heated air, I like to dunk my air plants every 3 to 4 days in a basin of room-temperature rainwater for anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. Rainwater is always best but you can also use tap water that has been left to sit overnight to dissipate any chlorine and fluorine. Experts say to avoid using distilled water which has no available nutrients.

After their soaking, I give my air plants a gentle shake to release any excess water and place them upside down on a dish towel to air dry for a couple of hours before returning them to their homes. This is important because if too much water is left to collect in their root zones, it can cause the plants to rot. Remember that outdoors in warm tropical breezes, they would quickly dry off between rain showers or downpours.

FOOD

Like all houseplants, air plants depend on us for their sustenance. In the wild, they derive nourishment from a variety of droppings and detritus which is then turned into liquid food with rainfall. Since these plants take up nutrients through their leaves and not their roots, use a fertilizer or foliar spray specifically recommended for air plants or bromeliads. Your plants will show increased vigor, growth and flowering with a regular feeding schedule. Just be sure to follow directions and don’t overdo it!

PLACEMENT

The beauty of air plants is that they lend themselves to all kinds of creative arrangements in the home. Some people like to mount their air plants on bark or driftwood while others prefer resting them in ceramic pots or glass terrariums. I’ve also seen them sitting on exotic gemstones, swinging in metal cages or mounted in groups on walls. They’re happy hanging out with other houseplants and benefit from the extra humidity that potted plants provide. I personally love the look of air plants with my orchids; after all, they’re natural partners in the wild.

There’s a lot more to learn about air plants but I hope I’ve given you enough information to get you started collecting and enjoying these unique plants. A simple internet search will provide you with more inspiration and ideas for air plant displays – just go with what looks good to you and fits your personal style.