Welcome to the wonderful world of Tillandsia care! They are often referred to by their common name Air Plants. A stunning and popular houseplant known for being an easy-to-care-for, low-maintenance house plant. These wonderful plants come in an array of colours, shapes and sizes!
Known for their fascinating ability to grow without the need for soil! Air plants are fantastic plants for adding fun and interesting displays to your room. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to keep your Air Plant healthy and thriving.
Aglaonema Overview
Tillandsia or air plants are native areas of Central and South America and even some of the southern US and are a member of the Bromeliad family. As mentioned before Air plants are commonly used to describe plants that don't need soil and they instead attached themselves using their roots to other plants, trees and rocks.
They derive their nutrients from the air and water around them rather than soil using trichomes on their leaves. Air plants are known as ‘Epiphytes’ which means ‘on top of a plant’.
Epiphytes are not parasitic and do harm the plant it attaches itself to. They can be found in numerous places ranging from arid, mountainous, and warm humid areas. There are over 600 hundred species that are perfectly adapted to their individual environment. Air plants can be divided into two categories mesic and Xeric.
What are Trichomes?
They are the tiny raised hairs that cover the surface of all air plants which are used to extract all the nutrients and water that the plants need to survive. This allows the plant to grow without the need for soil.
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A Mesic Tillandsia (Air Plant) are more commonly found in areas of Central and South America where they are found living on trees in humid rainforests, which receive more indirect sunlight. Mesic air plants tend to be deeper green and have less trichomes resulting in smoother leaves.
- A Xeric Tillandsia (Air Plant) that is suited to more dry arid and desert-like regions will have larger and a greater number of trichomes and a more silvery/fluffy appearance. These are also used to reflect sunlight in these types of conditions. The leaves will often be bigger allowing for more surface area to absorb water and light.
How to Look After a Tillandsia (Air Plant)
Light:
The amount of light your Air Plant will need will depend on what type of Air plant you have. Mesic Air Plants prefer Bright but not direct sunlight as they are accustomed to living below the forest canopy. Direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves. Xeric Air Plants can tolerate a lot more sunlight and can be placed in a brighter spot that receives some direct sunlight.
Temperature and Humidity:
Maintaining a temperature between 10-30°C Air plants can be quite happy in average household conditions. However, Mesic Air Plants will prefer an extra boost of humidity. Keep your Air Plants away from Heat sources and radiators.
Watering:
You can either soak or mist your air plants, we recommend soaking as misting can be time-consuming as you will need to do this daily and can ruin the surfaces on which plants are displayed on.
You can soak your plants about every 2 weeks. Using a clean sink/bowl fill halfway with lukewarm water and place your air plants upside down (you do not need to get roots wet as these are used for attachment only). Allow them to soak for around 10 minutes and take them out. While holding them upside down gently shake off the excess water and place on a dry towel. Once dry, pop them back in their display. Xeric Air Plants can often go a little longer without requiring a soak.
Fertilising:
During the growing season (spring and summer), you can feed your Air Plants with a very diluted liquid fertiliser once a month, ideally one that is suitable for bromeliads and tillandsia as they are very sensitive and can burn with normal fertiliser. It is always advised to follow the instructions on your fertiliser. Reduce feeding in the winter months.
How to Re-pot an Air plant
Air plants don't need reporting as they don't require soil. However, they may outgrow their decorative container, in which case you should try to find something bigger to display it in.
How to Propagate an Air Plant
Propagating Air Plants is an exciting way to grow new plants and is done by removing the pups from the base of the mother plant. These tend to appear after the mother plant has bloomed. Follow these steps:
Division
- Before removing the offsets you want to make sure they are at least a third of the size of the mother plant.
- Gently pull the offset off from the base, careful not to pull at the leaves.
- Soak the offset for 10 mins, dry and place in a spot that is bright with no direct light.
- Care for the plant the same way you would normally.
How to Prune an Air Plant
Pruning your Air Plant of any dead or shrivelled leaves helps maintain its shape and encourages healthy growth.
How Often Should I Water an Air Plant?
Watering frequency depends on various factors like humidity, temperature, and location. If in a shadier spot, it will need less watering than one in a brighter location. Mesic Air Plants like to be watered more often than Xeric Air Plants.
Why Are My Air Plant Leaves Going Brown?
- As the plant grows the outermost leaves will go brown and eventually go brown this is a normal part of the plant's growth cycle.
- Brown edges and shrivelling may indicate low humidity, underwatering, or direct sunlight. Increase humidity and adjust your watering routine.
- A browning base can indicate rot, the plant was soaking for too long or did not dry out properly.
Are Air Plants Poisonous to Cats and Dogs?
No, Air Plants are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. But best to keep them out of reach of pets so they don't get damaged!
With these expert tips, you're well-equipped to care for your Tillandsia and enjoy its unique beauty in your home. Happy Air Plant growing!
