Air plants, also known as tillandsia, have become increasingly popular houseplants in recent years due to their low maintenance needs and unique appearance. As epiphytic plants that in nature grow on trees, rocks, and other surfaces, air plants don’t require soil and are easy to grow indoors. Here’s an in-depth look at caring for air plants and why they make great additions to indoor gardens.
Overview of Air Plants
Air plants are a diverse genus of around 650 species of epiphytic plants in the bromeliad family. They are native to parts of North, Central, and South America where they grow attached to trees, rocks, and even power lines. The name “air plant” comes from their ability to grow suspended in air without any soil.
Some of the most popular air plant varieties kept as houseplants include:
- Tillandsia ionantha – The Mexican air plant has fuzzy, quill-shaped leaves that blush pink to red when it blooms.
- Tillandsia xerographica – The xerographic air plant has silver-gray leaves with vivid fuchsia blooms.
- Tillandsia tectorum – This air plant has soft, thin leaves speckled with white scales. Its red or purple flowers grow directly from the center.
- Tillandsia bulbosa – The bulbous air plant has bulbous leaf bases and curly, tangled leaves.
Air plants absorb moisture and nutrients through small scales on their leaves called trichomes. This enables them to thrive without soil. Their minimal root system is solely for anchoring onto surfaces.
Benefits of Air Plants for Indoor Gardening
For indoor gardeners without a green thumb, air plants offer many advantages:
- Low Maintenance – Air plants don’t require regular watering, fertilizing, potting, or pruning. Their needs are much easier to accommodate than typical houseplants.
- Adaptability – Air plants aren’t picky about lighting conditions. They thrive in bright indirect light but will tolerate lower light.
- Creative Display – Without soil, air plants can be mounted almost anywhere in unique ways, like on driftwood, in glass terrariums, or displayed in decorative holders.
- Air Purifying – Air plants help clean indoor air by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. Their small size allows them to be worked into room decor.
- Hardiness – Air plants tend to be more forgiving of occasional watering neglect than soil-based plants. Their drought tolerance makes them harder to kill.
- Eye-Catching – From wispy, wild shapes to colors ranging from neon green to crimson, air plants offer visual appeal and greenery without the commitment of a regular plant.
How to Care for Air Plants
While air plants have simple care needs, following a few basic guidelines will keep them healthy. Here’s how to care for air plants in your home:
Watering
The most important aspect of air plant care is watering properly. Air plants should be soaked for 30-60 minutes once or twice a week depending on climate, plant size, and type. The frequency will need adjusting for indoor conditions.
Soak air plants by filling a container with room temperature filtered or rain water and submerging the entire plant. Let it saturate completely before removing it to dry upside down. The leaves will turn lighter green when the plant needs watering.
Lighting
Bright, indirect light is ideal for air plants. Direct hot sun will burn their leaves. North or east facing windows are generally best indoors. Provide supplemental artificial lighting if needed. Established plants can better tolerate lower light conditions.
Fertilizer
Apply specialized bromeliad fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing season to nurture air plants. Dilute the fertilizer to 1/4 or 1/2 strength before use. Never apply fertilizer to dry plants or directly to the center of the plant.
Temperature & Humidity
Room temperature between 60-80°F is suitable for air plants. Increased humidity will benefit them during winter when indoor air is driest. Group plants together or use a pebble tray for added ambient moisture. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature drops.
Mounting & Displaying
One of the most fun aspects of air plants is the creative ways they can be mounted without soil. Display them in seashells, hanging glass terrariums, wreaths, or mounted on bamboo sticks or driftwood.
Pruning & Grooming
Remove dried leaves by hand to maintain an attractive appearance. Use a soft brush to gently dust off any debris. Trim away brown tips or damaged areas with sterile scissors.
Common Air Plant Problems & Solutions
Follow these troubleshooting tips if your air plants show signs of distress:
Problem: Leaves drying out or curling inward
Solution: Increase watering frequency. Soak plants for a longer duration. Mist between waterings if humidity is very low.
Problem: Soft, mushy, translucent leaves
Solution: Reduce watering frequency. Allow plants to dry thoroughly between waterings. Discard any rotten plants.
Problem: Brown leaf tips
Solution: Increase humidity and light levels. Adjust watering habits by soaking plants longer when watering.
Problem: Failure to bloom
Solution: Ensure the plant gets bright filtered light. Increase daylight hours with grow lights or change location.
Problem: Color fading
Solution: Supplement with artificial light if sunlight is inadequate. Apply fertilizer regularly during growing season.
Creative Ways to Display Air Plants
Here are some fun ideas for showcasing air plants around your indoor living spaces:
- Create an air plant wall gallery by mounting plants on bamboo sticks or pieces of driftwood. Use fishing line or jute to affix them creatively to a wall.
- Display air plants in hanging glass terrariums or open glass bowls. Look for containers that complement the plant’s shape and allow air circulation.
- Use air plants in living wreaths either mounted on grapevine forms or wired into the wreath foliage for an organic look.
- Place air plants in seashells like conches or scallop shells for a coastal vibe. Use shells as decorative holders or for plant baths.
- Mount air plants on interesting found wood like unusual gnarled branches or bark-edged boards. Affix them with fishing line or florist wire.
- Incorporate air plants into bathroom decor by displaying them in vessel sinks, mounted to the mirror frame, or lined up on shelves.
- Use air plants as unique kitchen decor by placing them in open vases, wire hanging planters, or creative containers on windowsills.
FAQs About Caring for Air Plants
Can air plants be kept anywhere in my home?
Air plants are very adaptable houseplants, but do best in brighter indoor spaces with some natural light from windows. Avoid placing them in dark corners or rooms without windows.
Do I need to plant air plants in soil?
No, in fact air plants will die if left in wet soil. They should be mounted to various surfaces without soil so their specialized roots can access air circulation.
How long do air plants live?
With proper care, most air plant species will live 3-5 years or longer indoors. Factors like type, size, and age will affect each plant’s lifespan.
Why are the leaves on my air plant turning brown?
If an air plant’s leaves are browning, it likely needs more frequent watering. Allowing them to dry out too much between soakings can cause leaf die-off. Improve light and humidity to prevent browning.
Should I mist my air plants daily?
Occasional misting can benefit air plants in very dry household air. But take care not to over-mist as excessive moisture can lead to rot. It’s better to soak plants weekly and increase humidity levels overall.
Bring the Outdoors In With Low-Maintenance Air Plants
For indoor gardeners looking to bring a touch of nature inside without the work of high-maintenance plants, air plants are the perfect solution. Their sculptural forms and tropical vibe add natural beauty to any space without requiring much care. By soaking these epiphytic plants regularly and providing bright filtered light, anyone can succeed with air plants. Let their whimsical shapes and textures enhance your indoor decor.
