QA

Question: How Much Light Do Air Plants Need

Air plants prefer bright indirect light. Meaning, don’t plan to keep them right in a windowsill unless it receives filtered light, or possibly only gentle morning sun. Air plants are prone to getting a bit “fried” in direct sunlight, especially when it is amplified through a glass window or terrarium.

Can air plants survive in low light?

Air plants will survive in low light situations and are therefore marketed as ideal plants for bringing some greenery into dark locations. Although they will live with little light, air plants do best when they get lots of bright indirect light.

Do air plants need a lot of light?

ost air plants do not do well with direct or full sun. Because they require indirect light, air plants make great office plants as long as they get some light, either indirectly from a window source, or artificially from full spectrum fluorescent lights.

Can air plants grow in shade?

Air plants should be kept in shade or areas with filtered light, and you will need to bring them indoors before the first frost in the fall. You can also keep them in a shed in the winter in areas where the cold is not too severe.

How do I know if my air plant needs more sun?

The more trichomes an air plant has the more sun they can handle. Give the more silvery air plants the most very most light possible. Keep in mind that because our homes are so much darker than the outdoors, give your air plants the best indirect light that your home has to offer.

How often should I mist my air plant?

Mist your plant every 4-5 days with one spray for tiny globes, 2-3 sprays for globes 3-5 inches, more if the plant is in a large open globe. The key is to judge the drying time, the smaller the globe, the less circulation, the longer the plant will hold the moisture. If you over water the plant will die.

How long can air plants go without light?

Air plants are very hardy and easy to care for. We have seen them survive up to 2 weeks in a shipping box with no light or water (Do not try that at home).

Do you soak air plants upside down?

The bottom line when it comes to watering air plants is to soak the leaves every week to 10 days. Then, always make sure to let the plants completely dry upside down before returning them to their regular spot.

Can I soak my air plants overnight?

If your air plant is ever looking ‘thirsty’ or like it’s struggling, you can soak them in water (in a bowl or sink) for several hours or overnight. This can often help to revive your tillandsia.

Can air plants get too much sun?

As we have mentioned before, air plants do best with indirect sunlight. Too much sunlight will deplete the moisture from your air plants, and cause them to burn and eventually die if they are left in the sun too long. If your plant has thinner, wispier leaves, then it probably will not do too well in direct sunlight.

Where do you put air plants?

Air plants do best with at least a few hours of bright, indirect sun daily. Placement within 1 to 3 feet of an east- or west-facing window, or within a foot or two of an artificial light source is ideal. If you keep them well watered, they can have hotter, more direct sun and longer exposure.

What kind of water do you use for air plants?

Air plants aren’t too picky when it comes to water, and most tap water is just fine, but it depends on the water quality in your area. The best water to use: rain water, aquarium water, or pond water because these are more rich in nutrients (note: if using one of these waters, don’t add any additional fertilizer).

How do I know if my air plant is healthy?

Tip: Watch your plants’ leaves for clues on whether they are thirsty or not. Curly leaves are drier and a healthy white fuzz actually means your plant is healthy, not necessarily drying out. Brown leaf tips and a general shriveled appearance are other clues you are under-watering.

Should I water my air plant?

While air plants don’t grow in soil, they definitely NEED to be watered. While the plants can survive for long periods of drought, they will not grow or thrive and will eventually die off if water is too scarce.

How do you feed air plants?

Air Plant Care Once a week, submerge air plants in water and let them sit there for hours. Use rainwater or bottled drinking water. Dry the air plants out. Feed them once a month by adding water-soluble fertilizer for epiphytes, bromeliads or air plants to the water you dunk them in.

What does an unhealthy air plant look like?

Although air plant care is minimal, the plant can sometimes begin to look sickly – shriveled, limp, brown, or droopy.

How do you get air plants to bloom?

Most healthy Tillandsia will bloom eventually, but they require proper care and plenty of light in order to do so. To help speed up the blooming process, you can use a diluted fertilizer like our specially formulated Air Plant Food once per month or so to encourage blooms and pup production.

How long can air plants go without water?

Air plants can live for two weeks without water. And even though the plant is still alive, its health is affected. You should soak your air plants in water at least once in two weeks and mist them once a week regarding the proper watering schedule.

Can you overwater an air plant?

Drying your air plant within four hours is important because air plants can become overwatered by simply not drying out. If your air plant isn’t drying within 4 hours of watering get the fan on it and water it less next time.