Air plants are a very interesting type of plant and they have the name because they grow completely soilless – you’ll find them growing in their natural habitat (which includes central and South America) on trees, rocks, and even on telephone poles and wires. Although they require no soil, they still have roots to latch onto their new home that gather this unique plant's nutrients from its environment.
Light Requirements
Most air plants thrive in bright, indirect light. The best way to tell what kind of light your specific air plant likes is to take a close look at it; if it has many small, hair-like growths on the leaves and is a greyish-green color, it will thrive in brighter light. Air Plants with less visible hairs (called trichomes) and greener leaves prefer indirect, filtered light.
While they need good light, they shouldn't be exposed to harsh, direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can lead to dehydration or damage. Direct sun for a few hours in the morning or evening is usually fine, but midday sun can be too intense.
Air plants can also thrive under artificial lighting, such as fluorescent or LED lights, especially if they are placed in areas that don’t get natural light. For optimal growth, keep them under bright lights for about 12 hours a day if there’s no natural sunlight.
Watering Requirements
Despite their name, air plants don’t survive on air alone. They still have watering requirements, and because our homes don’t provide adequate debris that the plant would usually collect its nutrients from in its natural habitat, it's important to figure out their specific watering needs in your home. If you have a home that's on the drier side, you’ll need to water more often, and if the plants live in a more humid room or environment they need less water or they’ll be prone to rot. Only water your air plant when it’s completely dry using one of the following methods:
Soaking: The best way to water air plants is by soaking them. You should soak your air plant for 20-30 minutes once a week (or every 10-14 days, depending on the humidity of your environment). Use room temperature water, ideally non-chlorinated, such as distilled or rainwater. If you're using tap water, let it sit for a while to allow chlorine to dissipate.
Misting: If you don’t have time to soak them, lightly mist your air plant with water 2-3 times a week. This helps keep the plant hydrated. Use a spray bottle with fine mist and aim for a thorough misting, ensuring all leaves are damp.
Drying: After soaking, make sure to shake off any excess water from the air plant and place it upside down on a towel or paper towel to dry. Allow the plant to dry completely (which will take about 4 hours) before placing it back in its display. This is important because standing water trapped in the base of the leaves can lead to rot.
Humidity
Air plants thrive in environments with moderate to high humidity, as they naturally come from tropical and subtropical regions where the air is often humid. Air plants do best in environments with 50-60% humidity. This level mimics their natural tropical habitat. If the humidity in your home is higher than 60%, your air plant will generally thrive without needing extra care. In particularly humid areas (e.g., bathrooms or kitchens), misting and soaking might only be needed occasionally.
Tip: Signs of low humidity in your home include dry leaves (look for leaf shriveling) and brown ends of the plant that become dry and crispy
If you need to increase the humidity in your home, you can mist or water the air plants more often, or you can place your air plants on a tray of pebbles and water (without the plants touching the water) can help increase the humidity around them.
Common Problems
Brown or Crispy Tips
Cause: Brown or crispy tips are a common sign of underwatering, low humidity, or exposure to too much direct sunlight.
Solutions: Increase watering: Make sure you're soaking or misting the plant enough, especially if you live in a dry climate. Avoid direct sunlight: Air plants should be kept in bright, indirect light. Move them to a shadier spot if they’re getting too much direct sun. Increase humidity: If you live in a dry environment, consider misting more frequently or using a humidity tray.
Rotting
Cause: Overwatering is the most common cause of rot. If air plants are left wet or soaked for too long without proper drying, moisture can accumulate in the base of the leaves, causing them to rot.
Solution: Proper drying: After soaking, make sure the air plant dries completely within 4 hours. Shake off excess water and place it upside down on a towel to dry. Less frequent soaking: Reduce the frequency of soaking to prevent excessive moisture buildup.
Shriveled or Wilted Leaves
Cause: Shriveled or wilted leaves are typically a sign of underwatering or low humidity. The plant may not be getting enough moisture from misting or soaking.
Solutions:
Increase watering: Ensure you're soaking the plant regularly, and if the environment is dry, mist it more often.
Check humidity levels: If your home is particularly dry, consider using a humidity tray or placing the air plant in a more humid area like a bathroom.
Fading or Non-Blooming Plants
Cause: Low light or improper care can lead to a lack of blooming or the plant losing its vibrant color.
Solution: Increase light: Make sure your air plant is getting enough bright, indirect light. You may need to move it to a brighter spot. Air plants typically bloom once a year, and some species may not bloom every year, especially if they are stressed or not receiving ideal care. Give it time.
Stunted Growth or No New Growth
Cause: Lack of new growth could be due to insufficient light, low humidity, or poor air circulation.
Solution:
Improve light conditions: Ensure your air plant is receiving adequate bright, indirect light.
Ensure good airflow: Air plants need good air circulation to thrive. Avoid placing them in enclosed spaces without ventilation.
Leaf Curling or Distortion
Cause: Excessive heat, overexposure to light, or too much water can cause the leaves to curl or distort.
Solution:
Moderate watering: Don’t soak too often. Ensure the plant dries completely after watering.
Correct lighting: Move the plant away from direct, intense sunlight, as this can cause stress to the leaves.
Common Pests
Air plants are relatively resistant to pests, but they can still fall victim to a few common ones, especially in humid environments.
Mealybugs
Appearance: Mealybugs are small, white, cotton-like pests that often appear in clusters, particularly at the base of the leaves or where the leaves meet the plant’s stem.
Symptoms: They can cause yellowing of leaves and overall plant stress, weakening the plant and potentially leading to rot.
Treatments:
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Gently wash the plant under lukewarm water to remove mealybugs.
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For severe infestations, dab the affected areas with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
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Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also help treat mealybugs.
Fungus Gnats
Appearance: Fungus gnats are small, dark flies that are often seen flying around the plant. The larvae are the problem, feeding on organic matter and roots.
Symptoms: They are more common in damp environments and can cause damage to the roots, though air plants are less likely to have severe root problems because they don’t grow in soil.
Treatment:
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Allow the air plant to dry out more thoroughly after watering to disrupt the life cycle of the fungus gnat.
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You can also place yellow sticky traps near the plant to catch adult gnats.
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For heavy infestations, using a biological control like Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) can help.
Spider Mites
Appearance: Spider mites are tiny, almost invisible to the naked eye. They can appear as fine webbing around the plant, especially in the crevices of the leaves.
Symptoms: The plant may show signs of yellow or speckled leaves, and the webbing can be an obvious sign of their presence.
Treatments:
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Rinse the air plant thoroughly with water to dislodge spider mites.
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You can also spray the plant with a mild insecticidal soap or neem oil solution to kill the mites.
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Increase humidity around the plant, as spider mites thrive in dry conditions.
Scale Insects
Appearance: Scale insects are small, flat, and oval-shaped. They may appear as brown or white bumps on the surface of the leaves or stem.
Symptoms: They feed on the plant’s sap, which can cause stunted growth, yellowing, or leaf damage.
Treatment:
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Remove scale insects manually using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or gently scrape them off with a soft brush (such as an old toothbrush).
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If the infestation is extensive, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil.