Air plant care guide
Tillandsia
Also known as: Tillandsia, Airplant
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Air plant
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 3 days
- Watering means misting the whole plant, about every two to three days, in the evening, somewhere airy enough for it to dry by morning.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 4 days
- As it cools, mist about every three to five days and add a soak of a few hours about once a month.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 7 days
- Cold slows drying, so mist about once a week during a mild day and do not leave it wet at night.
Light and placement for Air plant
As a guide, bright shade or light through a sheer curtain; silver-leaved kinds generally take more sun, green-leaved ones prefer shade, direct midsummer sun scorches, and airflow matters most.
Overwintering Air plant
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
Not very cold-hardy, so keep it above 5°C as a guide: move it to a bright window indoors in fall, and generally water less, during a mild day, so it is dry by night.
Fertilizing and repotting Air plant
Fertilizer
It generally grows without feeding; if you do, as a guide add a liquid fertilizer diluted to about twice the label strength to the mist about once a month in spring and fall.
When to repot
Repotting is not normally needed
Common problems with Air plant
- Left wet after watering, the center rots black.
- Too little misting and the leaves curl tightly and dry up.
- Displayed in a closed container or a sunny window, it dies.
Tips for growing Air plant
- After watering, turn it upside down to drain and keep water out of the leaf bases.
- Leaves curling inward signal thirst; a soak usually plumps them back up.
- Pups that form after flowering can be split off once about half the parent's size.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
