Since air plants are epiphytes and lithophytes, they hydrate through their leaves. You can choose whether to mist them frequently or soak them less frequently. I’ll explain more below.
“How often should I water my air plants?” This is our most asked question, and our answer is: it depends upon the type of plant you have and the amount of light it receives… just like watering your other houseplants!
Here is the easiest way to decide what’s best for your air plant: follow the mesic/xeric rule: mesic plants need more moisture more often while xeric plants are more drought tolerant, needing water less often.
So, with a mesic plant, misting every other day is a good practice (if that is too much work, a 20-minute soak twice per week should suffice). For a xeric plant, soak once a week for 20 minutes.
Of course, how much water a plant needs will still depend on temperature and light. If light and temperatures are higher, water more frequently.
A general rule for both types: after hydrating, hold your plant upside down and shake it gently, then place it upside down on an absorbent surface to dry. If water is allowed to collect in the base, your air plants may eventually rot.
This is also why we recommend not arranging the two different types together and then watering the group in the same way. The Xeric plants will always get over-watered and the Mesic plants under-watered.
I won’t go into the complex structure of each leaf’s outer cells – the cells that regulate oxygen, carbon, and carbohydrates – but it is the reason the plant grows so slowly. It’s also the reason you shouldn’t water them late in the day because it will prevent the leaves from making a crucial nightly chemical exchange.
If you really want to geek out and take a deep dive into the geologic history and botany of air plants, visit this site.
Does the Type of the Water Matter?
Fortunately, here in Seattle, we have very high-quality drinking water from our two river sources: the Tolt and the Cedar. So, you can use tap water. However, the county does chlorinate, which can be harsh to the Tillandsia leaves, so if you don’t have a filtration system, fill your water container the night before and leave it open on the counter. The chlorine will naturally off-gas overnight.
Fertilizing Air Plants
All plants respond to fertilizer. For air plants, it is not as critical to fertilize, but it will support flowering and pup formation, which helps your plant have a longer life.
If your plant displays any of these traits, fertilizer could be the answer:
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The plant’s foliage looks pale and weak
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Leaves look yellow, and veins look darker
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No new growth during the growing seasons
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Small spots on leaves that grow with time
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Mature leaves turn purple at the base
Use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for Bromeliads and follow the directions on the label, or you can use a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) at ½ strength. Fertilize from April through September (the same period when you would fertilize most houseplants).
Air Plant Flowers
Barrie Moss
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