Read about Things You Need to Know Before Growing Air Plants, like how they grow, bloom, and make pups, before you start growing your own.
A plant that lives on air? That sounds super easy! Air plants are cool, spiky-looking plants that are perfect for decorating your home or adding to your plant collection. Here are 11 fun and surprising Things You Need to Know Before Growing Air Plants.
Things You Need to Know Before Growing Air Plants
Air plants are part of the same family as bromeliads, which are tropical plants with spiky flowers. In fact, air plants are a type of bromeliad, but not all bromeliads are air plants. Just like their relatives, air plants come in many sizes, colors, and shapes.
1. They Don’t Need Soil
Air plants are different from most plants because they don’t grow in soil. In the wild, they use their roots to attach themselves to tree branches or rocks. But at home, they’re just as happy sitting in a glass globe, resting on some sand in a dish, or perched on top of a small vase.
2. Just Like the Name, They Want Air
These plants are called epiphytes, which means they live in the air. They absorb nutrients and moisture through tiny pores on their leaves.
3. Give Enough Air Circulation
Since air plants get their food from the air, they need plenty of fresh, moving air around them, like a buffet floating by. They won’t do well in a closed container, like a sealed jar.
4. Let They Get Sufficient Light
Air plants love bright light! Place them near a south, east, or west-facing window. They also grow well under fluorescent lights.
5. Place Them Outside
Air plants enjoy a little getaway! Putting them on a front or back porch or in a screened room is great for them. Just be sure they’re not sitting in direct sunlight all day, as that can be too much. In nature, air plants grow in all kinds of places—jungles, deserts, and rainforests—so they’re used to different environments.
6. A Bit of Grooming
It’s okay to groom your air plant. If you see dried or brown leaves, just trim them off.
7. Dip and Dunk
Watering an air plant is like dipping a donut in coffee. Just dunk the whole plant into a bowl of water. After that, shake it gently so water doesn’t get stuck between the leaves. Dunk it a few times a week to keep it healthy. You can also mist it with water once a week or every other week.
8. Feed Infrequently
Air plants don’t need food because they get nutrients from the water and air. But if you want to help them grow better, you can give them a little extra. Look for plant food made for air plants or bromeliads.
9. Look for Flowers
Air plants already look cool, but they sometimes bloom with colorful flowers too. The flowers usually show up in spring and summer.
10. Watch for Pups
Air plants can grow babies called pups. These little plants grow at the base of the mother plant. When they get close to the same size as the mother, you can gently pull them off and move them to their own containers.
