CARE AND KEEPING OF AIR PLANTS

After featuring these little cuties in my April Roundup, I started getting so many dm’s and questions about air plants! So many people had never even heard of them or had heard in passing once but didn’t realize how cool they are. This post is a little introduction to this unique plant and I’ll teach you some of the basics on how to care for them and help them live their best life.

 

“Air plant care can be summed up into three main considerations: air, water, and light.”

 

There are over 450 different varieties of air plants! The care of your plant will vary slightly based on what variety you have. A good place to start when learning to care for your new little plant baby is to determine which variety you have. However, regardless of your variety air plant care is pretty straightforward and simple. Air plant care can be summed up into three main considerations: air, water, and light. That’s it! No soil needed!

One: Air

The care of these plants is so simple it almost seems too good to be true. But just because these guys are laid back doesn’t mean they don’t need any TLC! Good air circulation is crucial to their health. Try not to place your lil baby in a spot too close to fans, AC vents, or heaters as this will make them dry out too quickly.

 

Since they don’t need any soil, these plants can be placed in pretty much any container. Just try not to put them in a container or terrarium that is closed off or air tight as this will affect their air circulation. If you do choose to place your plant in a semi-closed container, make sure you leave it out of the container after watering (more on this next). It’s important that after watering your plant is in a place where it can dry within four hours. You don’t want it to stay wet!

Two: Water

I love it when its time to water my air plants because they look so hydrated and happy afterwards! (Does that make me sound like a crazy plant lady? It’s okay, I know what I am.) I usually water my plants around once a week. If your plants are in a dryer or more humid area, you might need to adjust your watering schedule.

 

To water your plants you just soak them face down in any container of choice! Easy as that. You can use a bowl, sink, tupperware, whatever you have handy. Then, you leave them to soak for 10-20 minutes. Afterwards, shake off excess water and place them in a well circulated area to dry. I usually water mine in the morning, leave them to dry during the day, then place them back in their containers for bed.

 

If you live in a really dry climate and don’t to water very often, you can mist in between waterings. Take care that the mist does not pool near their base as this can cause rotting. Also, make sure you are still occasionally soaking them.

Three: Light

Air plants are a great plant to keep in apartments or houses with low-light. These littles buds really do not like being in harsh, direct sunlights. Instead, trying placing them a few feet away from a window, indirect sunlight, or near a strong artificial light source.

 

**P.S. Did anyone else think of Avatar: The Last Airbender when reading the section headers? Air, water, earth, fire. I used to be SO obsessed with that show!!

The Big Bloom

I had no idea that it was possible for air plants to bloom until one of mine started blooming! I was so surprised! After I started doing research, I found out that its actually really common for air plants to bloom. The time it takes for the bloom to happen varies plant by plant. Their blooming season is so special and exciting because it only happens once! Some plants have inflorescence bloom spikes that can last for months. Other plants will have short, flowery blooms that die off very quickly. Make sure to take lots of pictures when your bloom happens! It’s very Instagram worthy.

That’s about all there is to the care and keeping of air plants! They are so simple to keep, even the worst gardener can grow one! Head to your local nursery to pick one up! Also, please tag in me pictures of your new little plants/blooms! I would so love to see them!

 

Liv