Air plant is a great addition to your mini home garden. What makes them special is their unique structure of narrow, elongated leaves covered in trichomes.
These trichomes help them to absorb nutrients from the air, which justifies their name. Although proper planning and preparation are required to plant and grow air plants, So how about we explore all the things required for you to get that healthy plant in your garden
Air plants are year-round garden plants. Spring and summer are the best times to plant, as they are the active growing seasons. Remember, the frosty winter time is not ideal for your beloved air plant as the growth slows down.
Meanwhile, they love to be in bright and indirect light. The places they live are the east- and south-facing windows, and they tend to avoid direct sunlight. Now, get ready as we take a deep dive into the optimal condition for the air plant.
Planting Period
Spring and summer are the best seasons for planting and repotting air plants, as they are actively growing during this time. Unlike traditional plants, air plants grow without soil, so their roots are not bound and do not require conventional repotting.
Although, if your air plants outgrow their space or produce numerous pups, you can repot them into a new container. Handle them with care to ensure they remain healthy and continue to thrive.
Soil Requirement
The fun fact is that these beautiful plants do not need soil. Quite a spring, right? Air plants obtain their nutrients from the air through their trichomes and absorb moisture.
This adaptation allows them to thrive in their natural environment without the need for soil. Essentially, air plants do not have any soil requirements.
Light Requirement
Air plants grow perfectly in bright and indirect sunlight. The direct sunlight can scorch off the leaves and cause sunburn. So it should be displayed 5 ft away from the window, or you can filter the light through the curtain.
That doesn't mean you should provide them less light as they can cause slow growth and place colour. At the same time, too much light is caused by wilting and brown spots.
So, place them in an ideal place for about 6 hours of light for optimal growth.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for air plants is between 66-89°F for their full potential growth. When it comes to low temperatures, they do not love frosty temperatures.
They can survive in the range of 50°F, but it is hard for them to grow for a long period of time. During colder periods, it’s beneficial to provide them with artificial lighting to help them endure the dormant phase and maintain their health.
Humidity
When it comes to humidity, your air plant requires moderate humidity, around 40-60%. They are particularly placed in the kitchen and bathroom as these places are humid places.
Moreover, to maintain the humidity level, you can add some extra moisture by regular misting or soaking. In summer, plants do not love direct sun exposure, so keep them away from windows to filter the intense light.
During the winter, the air becomes dry as the homes are heated. So, it increases the requirement to adjust the watering schedule and mist more frequently to work for the lower humidity.
Spacing
Since the plants depend on their trichomes to absorb moisture, they must not be kept crowded; space them properly for good air circulation.
Further, these create a humid environment with less to no chance of rotting roots. When you keep them in the container, please ensure they are not tightly packed and mounted on the surface.
Air Circulation
You should provide good air circulation around the plant to prevent stagnant, moist conditions that can lead to rot. Avoid keeping them air plants in containers or on surfaces that retain moisture.
How about you get creative with mounting and displaying air plants? You can attach them to wood and place them in terrariums. Other than that, there are simple requirements of the plant you should focus on.
There are three major steps to growing air plants. The versatile and easy-to-care plant can adapt well to different indoor environments. The clear and actionable step will help you be ready to grow healthy and vibrant air plants to improve your home decor.
Propagation, seed, and sometimes repotting are the processes used to get a new set of these decorative plants.
By Seed
First, either get seeds from the market or collect the seeds from the air plant. Check by gentle shaking or tapping the mature flower over a clean surface to collect the tiny seeds from the air plant from your garden.
Get your shallow container ready and line it with a sheet of Velcro for better moisture retention.
Soak the seeds in the water for a few hours to a day to help them absorb the moisture.
Scatter the seeds on the surface and do not cover them, as the lights will help them to germinate.
Keep the container warm with indirect light and maintain the level of moisture without overwatering.
Look out for germination, as it takes several weeks to months. Have patience and keep the seed moist.
Once there are seedlings with tiny leaflets, carefully transplant them to a suitable display.
By Propagate By Offset
Check your mature air plant and see if there are small offsets at the base of it.
Be patient until the pups are about one-third to one-half the size of the mother plant. Then, use clean scissors to cut the pup away from the parent plant.
Place the separated pup on a flat surface and give the proper care.
Give some time for both the parent plant and pup to recover after separation.
Keep them in an environment with bright, indirect light and proper humidity.
By Repotting
Air plants do not require soil, so traditionally, there is no need for repotting. You may notice the overgrown offset of the mature air plant, though. In such a case, you can report these buds.
Simply place the plants in a new container and handle them gently to avoid damage. Make sure the new container has good air circulation and continues to provide the bright, indirect light they need.
After relocating the air plant, give them all the required conditions: bright, indirect sunlight and adequate moisture. Regularly check for any signs of overcrowding or growth issues to keep your air plants healthy and vibrant.
The decorating air plant in your mini garden is not required. But be careful, as simple negligence can cause their poor health to die. And that may not be a good thing for your beautiful garden. Now that you have a bit of an understanding of the optimal light and temperature conditions for the right amount of water and humidity.
Every factor is the pillar to the well being of the plant. The proper maintenance of the plant is required for them to grow to their fullest ability.
Watering
As we know, air plants love humid nature, so water is like their best friend. They require regular misting and dunking for at least 20-30 minutes every 1-2 weeks. Rainwater and distilled water are even better choices since tap water contains salts and minerals that damage plants.
Use your hand to check the top of the soil to prevent overwatering. This condition can lead to leaf wilting and, ultimately, death. Apart from that, in the winter season, you can mist the plant once every three weeks during its dormant period.
Fertilizer
Many of us have a misconception that the ar plant does not need soil. So, what is the use of fertilizer? But that's where you may be negligent in their care as they thrive in adequate fertilizer. It grows well with the balanced nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus fertilizer in the ratio of 1-4-1.
During the growing season, you should feed them once a month. In fall and winter, you should consider feeding them every 6-8 weeks. Remember to dilute the fertilizer as they prevent root burn so that air plant can absorb their nutrient without being overwhelmed.
Regular Monitoring
Air planting is a minimal requirement for garden plants. But here comes the thing: you have to watch out for them. You should look out for the signs of water requirement, light conditions, temperature and humidity.
The regular check gives you the sign of health or stress. Take out any dead or yellow leaves to give them growth and prevent diseases. Also, the air plants should be well-ventilated areas to ensure proper air circulation, which is crucial for health.
Now that you are taking good care of the plants. You may think that your job is over. Not correctly. Apart from regular watering and light, decorative plants have additional maintenance requirements to keep them looking their best.
Since the plant is decorative, it requires a handful of ways to maintain its look and shape. Understanding these tips can greatly enhance the beauty of your garden.
Cleaning the Plant
The first thing you can do regularly is clean their long leaves. To remove the dust, you should immerse the air plant in water at room temperature for about 20 minutes. After immersing, rinse the plant under the running water to remove the remaining dirt.
Now, shake off excess water and place the plants upside down on a lean cloth or paper towel to rinse off completely. It prevents from pooling at the base to prevent from rooting root.
Pruning the Plant
Pruning the air plant is not a requirement, but if you observe dead or damaged leaves, you should prune it. Cut off the dead or dried leaves at the base of the plant. This can improve air circulation and allow new growth to emerge.
Remember to be careful and cautious when your move leaves, as they may be sheltering pups. Be patient till the pups are about one-third the size of the parent plant before you remove any leaves covering them.
Also, when you trim the brown tips of leaves or trim the broken leaves, cut at an angle rather than straight for a natural look.
Shaping the Plant
While the leaves of the air plant are important, it is better to shape them to enhance their decorative look. As you prune, keep an eye on maintaining the shape and compactness of the plant.
Trim the unsightly roots for a cleaner look, as they are not required for nutrient absorption. It enhances the visual appearance of the air plant. Regularly shape the leaves and remove the dead and damaged foliage to improve the vibrant look of the plant.
Seasonal Change
While regular monitoring is one thing, there are certain things you should do during the seasonal change. In the growing season, as the temperature rises, you have to increase the watering and humidity levels and the temperature of the plant.
Apart from that, you should also look out for signs of dryness, overwatering, and overheating, such as wilting and scorching leaves. So they maintain the required level for proper growth.
Frequency of Water
Moreover, in the winter season, you have to decrease the frequency of water, temperature, and humidity. But you should maximize the frequency of light, as the frequency of light is low in the winter season.
Keep them in the south and east-facing windows or use some artificial light to provide them with the light. By ensuring this, you can help your plant thrive during seasonal changes throughout the year.
