10 Air Plant Care Tips You Should Know!

Want to grow air plants indoors? Check out the 10 most helpful Air Plant Care Tips You Should Know before you start!

Did you know that air plants are the best house plants for air quality? Check out Air Plant Care Tips to keep your unique air purifying plants thriving, and learn how to provide proper watering, lighting, and maintenance to ensure its health and beauty.

Have a look at the mini vertical garden ideas with air plants here

Air Plant Care Tips

1. Find the Perfect Place

Place your air purifying plants near a window. Make sure that it’s not a spot that receives direct sun. Bright indirect sunlight or fluorescent home lighting is what they need. A couple of hours of cool filtered or direct morning sun is fine.

Excessive light can cause the leaves to turn tan, wilted and brittle, while inadequate light causes a delay in growth and paler leaves. To learn how to care for air plants indoors, read on!

Do Air Plants Need Sunlight? Find out here

2. Maintain a Warm Temperature

Air plants thrive in a temperature range of 50-90°F (10-33°C), preferring warmth. It’s important to note that they can’t tolerate temperatures below 45°F (7°C).

Additionally, in hot and dry conditions, you’ll need to increase the frequency of watering and misting to ensure their well-being.

Here are Amazing Benefits Of Air Plants You Never Knew

3. Use Supplemental Lighting

Providing artificial lighting is helpful if your plants lack a bright corner in the house. Consider using fluorescent bulbs that are designed to emit full-spectrum light for optimal plant growth.

Install the fluorescent tubes about 6-9 inches above your hanging air plants and let them glow for approximately 12 hours every day. To learn more about artificial lighting for air plants, check out this informative article!

4. Dunk, Don’t Spritz

Don’t know how to water air plants? Watering the air plants is the only thing that’s a little complicated. Instead of misting the plants, dunk them in a container. So how long to soak air plants?

A good soak for half an hour at a reasonable temperature is sufficient for 7 to 10 days (depending on the climatic conditions and the air in your house). Water this way 2-3 times a week if you live in a hot tropical climate.

Don’t know about air plant watering needs? Learn here

5. Look Out for Signs of Rot

You know your beloved plants that clean the air have fallen prey to rot when you notice the roots or crown turn brownish-gray and slimy. In case the rot lies on the roots only, just cut off the rotten roots.

This will prevent the healthy ones from succumbing in the same fashion. Crown rot is fatal. Air plants with crown rot should be discarded and substituted with fresh and healthy ones. Here’re some helpful tips you can read.

6. Recognize Fertilizing Needs

Air plants are picky about fertilizers and don’t like to be over-fertilized. Use a liquid, water-based air plant fertilizer once a month in the growing season.

Choose a fertilizer available, especially for air plants. Mix it in the water to the half strength of the suggested dose to feed at the time of the watering schedule. You can also mist the fertilizer!

Here is How to Fertilize an Air Plant + Best DIY Air Plant Fertilizer

7. Provide Ample Air Circulation

Air plants require good air circulation as it helps to keep them dry between watering spells. Without proper air circulation and due to the high moisture content in the air, they can develop unsightly brown spots indicative of crown rot.

Growing air plants in a terrarium? So how to hang air plants for best circulation? Ensure that display containers, such as glass globes or terrariums, have openings or ventilation to allow proper air circulation.

Here are Amazing Air Plants in a Terrarium Ideas

8. Grooming for Health

Regular grooming helps maintain the appearance and health of your air plant. Use clean, sharp scissors to trim off any dead or yellowing leaves.

This will not only enhance its visual appeal but also prevent the spread of diseases or pests. Be sure to remove only the dead portions, avoiding healthy parts of the plant.

9. Notice the Resting Period

Air plants go through a natural resting period after blooming. During this time, they may appear less vibrant and require less water and fertilization. It’s important to adjust your care routine accordingly.

Reduce the watering frequency and allow the plant to rest in slightly cooler temperatures. This resting period will help your air plant prepare for its next blooming cycle.

10. Make Seasonal Adjustments

Don’t know how to care for air plants? Air plants may require slight adjustments in care during different seasons. This may also vary with the types of air plants. However, here are some tips you should follow.

In winter months, when indoor heating is prevalent, the air tends to be drier. Increase misting, or consider using a humidifier to maintain adequate moisture levels.

Similarly, in summer months, with higher temperatures and more intense sunlight, monitor your air plants closely to prevent dehydration or sunburn.

Have a look at the best types of air plants here

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Often to Water Air Plants?

Water your air plants by misting them 2-3 times a week or soaking them in water for 20-30 minutes every 1-2 weeks. Ensure they dry completely to prevent rot.

2. How Long Do Air Plants Live?

With proper care, air plants can live several years, and some varieties can even survive for decades. Regular watering, appropriate lighting, and occasional fertilization contribute to their longevity.

Are Air Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Find out here. 

3. How to Propagate Air Plants?

To propagate air plants, wait for the plant to produce offshoots called “pups.” Gently separate the pup from the parent plant, ensuring it has roots attached. Place the pup in a suitable growing environment and provide regular care to encourage its growth into a new air plant.

4. How to Revive an Air Plant?

To revive a struggling air plant, soak it in room temperature water for about 1-2 hours. Allow it to dry completely before returning it to its regular care routine. Provide adequate light, proper watering, and ensure good air circulation to help the plant recover and regain its health.

Here are the Types of Air Plants That Are Most Beautiful

5. How Do You Take Care of Air Plants?

Air plants require indirect sunlight, weekly misting or soaking in water for 20-30 minutes, and good air circulation to thrive. Avoid using tap water, and make sure to shake off excess moisture to prevent rotting.