How to care for Air Plants: They don’t need soil!
Air plants or Tillandsia are fun and fascinating plants that don’t need soil to grow. But they do need more than just air!
This care guide will teach you how to care for your air plants. Provide air plants with bright light, good air circulation, and water.
Further reading: Air Plant Display Ideas – Tillandsia Ionantha Sky Plants – Tillandsia Xerographica XL
What are Air Plants?
Air plants are part of the Bromeliad plant species. And like many Bromeliads, air plants are epiphytes. Meaning that in nature they grow on other plants, usually on tree branches.
In their native habitat, air plants get moisture from heavy rainfalls and high humidity in the air. They absorb all their moisture and nutrients through their leaves.
There are hundreds of species and varieties of Tillandsia. These air plant care tips will apply to the majority of common air plants sold to be kept as houseplants.
Want to buy your own air plants? Find them for sale on Amazon.
Do Air Plants Need Sun?
Air plants do best in bright, indirect light. A little bit of direct morning sun is fine but avoid the afternoon heat. When your air plant gets too much sun, the leaves can dry out and suffer from sunburn.
On the other hand, in too little light, growth will slow down and their leaves will be lackluster in color.
Did you know? Tillandsia air plants are related to the Pineapple plant which is also part of the Bromeliad plant family!
Watering Air Plants
Water your air plant with a good soak at least once a week in summer, and once every two weeks in winter.
- Submerge your air plant in a bowl of water (preferably rainwater).
- Let your air plant soak in water for about 15-30 minutes. Remove your air plant from the bowl and carefully shake off excess water.
- Place upside-down on a paper towel until it is completely dry.
You might need to soak your air plants twice a week when you have very dry air.
Further reading: How to Water Air Plants.
Fertilizing Air Plants
Air plants don’t get nutrients from the soil, so it is recommended to fertilize your Tillandsia about once a month in spring and summer.
There are fertilizer sprays for air plants to mist your plant with, or you can add some liquid Bromeliad fertilizer to the water that you soak the plant in.
Give your Air Plant some Air
Air plants need air. Sounds like a no-brainer right? You would think so. But I keep seeing air plants being sold in all kinds of closed glass terrariums. Pretty? Yes. But not the best option for air plants.
If you want your air plant to thrive, good air circulation is a must.
Air plants need air flow around them to keep them dry between waterings. Without it, they may rot and whither away.
You can definitely keep your air plants in a terrarium. I have them in one with great success. Just make sure it is a terrarium with an opening to let the air flow in and out.
Related reading: The best indoor plants for beginners.
Thank you for sharing. I’ve been growing some of the smaller ones for a while and have been thinking of getting a couple of the larger ones. After this I feel confident I can keep them alive. ?????? Always looking to add new plant babies.?
Hi Wendy, happy to hear my article about the air plants has been of use! Good luck with your new plant babies! Sending you lots of good growth vibes 🙂
I have looked everywhere and cant find the answer to what may be a simple question. I have several air plants. Some have flowered and pupped, others im still waiting on. They are growing several spike type leaves that are not flower spikes that i have seen. Any idea on what they are? I dont see them in pictures so I’m very curious.
Hi Trisha, I am sorry but I am not sure what it is that you are describing. Maybe you have found out already? Now i’m curious too!
I have a tilandsia lindenii and it came planted in soil. Is this correct or should I take it out of the soil?
I have only been spraying the leaves and not watering the soil because I am afraid to do that. Thanks, Cecilia
I soak mine for one hour n dry them for one hour (I time it) I have new babies and some are blooming… But not ALL of them are doing great… Would 30 minutes be better for them? Am I overwatering them
Pele’s Hair is an air plant, it thrives in Hawai’i. I make sure it gets sun and water. Most I have seen turn gray with age. They start out green. I have it outside on my deck, not in a pot, but druped over a plant stand. I trim the length twice a year. Since it turns this gray color, how do I know it is still alive and thriving, it does not grow fast. It sounds like a dumb question, but have found it hard to get care instructions.