Xerographica air plant care guide
Tillandsia xerographica
Also known as: King of air plants
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 Xerographica air plant
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 5 days
- A dry-country species: mist about every four to seven days, then turn it over to drain so it dries within half a day.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 7 days
- Mist about once a week, and if you like add a soak of one to two hours about once a month.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 10 days
- In the cold months, a light mist about every ten days during a mild day, and not at night.
Light and placement for Xerographica air plant
Among the most light-loving air plants: as a guide, a bright window where it generally takes morning sun but not the harshest midsummer rays, with air that moves around it.
Overwintering Xerographica air plant
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
Keep it above 5°C as a guide, ideally around 10°C, at a bright indoor window and on the dry side, since being cold while wet is generally what kills it.
Fertilizing and repotting Xerographica air plant
Fertilizer
It generally needs no fertilizer; if you feed at all, 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 Xerographica air plant
- Water left in the leaf bases rots it from the center.
- Kept somewhere dim, the leaves turn greenish and the rosette loses shape.
- Misted in a cold room in winter, it chills while wet and dies.
Tips for growing Xerographica air plant
- Keep a soak to about one or two hours, then shake it out and dry it upside down.
- Tight curling means thirst; a greenish tint means too little light.
- It grows very slowly, so do not push water or light just because nothing seems to change.
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.
