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Isn’t it true that air plants survive on air?
No, that’s not right! Air plants don’t need to be watered because they don’t grow in soil.
While the plants can withstand prolonged drought, they will not develop or thrive and will finally die if water is in short supply.
If you follow the instructions below to learn how to water air plants on a regular basis, they will live for a long time.
The good news is that, because these plants are so forgiving, you won’t have to worry about their upkeep. When you leave on vacation, there’s no need to hire a babysitter.
There are several articles on how to care for air plants; I spray and soak mine. It doesn’t matter if you mist every day or every other day; they aren’t fussy about time. Air plants are a very forgiving species.
How do I water Air Plants?
We recommend rinsing your plants thoroughly under running water or soaking them in a bath of water for 20-30 minutes as a primary way of watering. You may use a bowl, the sink, or even the bathtub.
Completely submerge the plant. If your plant is blooming, you may want to maintain the bud above the water to avoid disturbing it, even though they are always moist in nature. To avoid shocking the plant, make sure the water is lukewarm or room temperature.
Misting your plants with a spray bottle is a fantastic way to hydrate them in between waterings. A blooming plant should be washed rather than immersed in water, and the fragile blooms should be cleaned with care.
It’s also a good idea to spray the plants in between waterings. If you live in a dry environment, this may be a fantastic method to keep plants healthy and offer them some additional attention.
Unless you have one of the rare species of air plants that appreciate low moisture, such as the T. tectorum (which we only propose misting) or the T. xerographica, misting is not a substitute for a thorough soak (which we recommend dunking instead of soaking).
Learn more about Air Plants in these articles:
Complete Guide To Aerial Plants
How to Water Air Plants Correctly
20 Easiest Air Plants to keep alive for beginners
How to Grow Tillandsia Bulbosa, Beginner’s Air Plant Care Guide
Important After Care
After watering your air plants, the next most crucial step is to thoroughly dry them.
It’s critical to dry your air plants fully by placing them on their side or upside down on a dish towel.
After their shower or bath, gently shake the plants to remove any extra water from the base and leaves, then lay them out to dry in an area with enough air circulation, which should take approximately 4 hours.
For bigger species like Xerographica, Streptophylla, and Sparkler, this is especially crucial.
Air plants should not be returned to terrariums or vases until they are totally dry.
If you water your plants and then immediately put them in an enclosure, your plant may suffer rot.
How often do I water Air Plants?
Your Air plants should be watered once a week, but for best results, water them twice a week.
Every 2-3 weeks, a 2-hour bath is advised. If you live in a drier, hotter environment, you’ll need to water or spray your plants more frequently.
Your plant’s leaves will get stiffer and full of water after watering, and they will become softer and lighter in color when they are in need of water.
Dehydration can be indicated by wrinkled or curled leaves.
What kind of water should I use? Tap or Distilled?
Because air plants rely on water for many of their nutrients, it’s ideal to provide them with water that’s rich in minerals and nutrients.
Rainwater is preferable, but if you don’t have a simple means to collect rainwater, spring water is the next best option.
You may also utilize water from a creek, a lake, or a well. Neither distilled nor filtered water should be used.
Minerals and nutrients are less abundant in distilled and filtered water.
Many municipal water systems have a higher concentration of contaminants and a lower concentration of minerals and nutrients.
Air plants prefer somewhat acidic water if you’re concerned about PH. The optimum alkalinity range is between 5.5 and 6.0.
Water from the tap is frequently higher than this range, making it unsuitable for air plants. PH levels aren’t something to be concerned about. It will suffice to use good, clean water.
Although it is preferable not to consume tap water, it is still preferable to having no water at all.
You will have happy and healthy air plants if you follow these easy watering guidelines.