Caring for Air Plants

Anyone without a green thumb or actively at a loss for caring for plants might be tempted to take the air plant plunge since they seem low maintenance. Here’s the thing — they are actually quite delicate. You probably already know that “air” plant is a misnomer. They do need water, they just do not live in soil. These beautiful plants are more like orchids than you would expect. They are delicate, but hearty and will fare better with neglect than they will with an abundance of attention. They are a plant know as an “epiphyte,” meaning they absorb nutrients through the air and not the soil. This means they can live in a variety of containers like seashells, teacups or a hanging glass bulb.

Here are some tips for keeping your new air plants alive. In general, these plants like bright light and need to be bathed in filtered water. They should not be exposed to direct sunlight and they need to be watered once a week in most seasons, but twice a week in dry winter heat. Do not use any kind of chemical fertilizer on your air plant — they are much too delicate for this. If the leaves of your plant start to curl or “tube,” this is a sign your plant is dehydrated and you should run water over it. If you stay in tune with your plant, then all will be well.