How to Grow and Care for Air Plants—an Epiphyte That Doesn't Need Soil to Survive

Air plants (Tillandsias) have unique spiky gray or gray-green leaves that look great in any houseplant collection. They come in various sizes, shapes, and colors and don't have typical roots, meaning they don't require any soil. In their natural habitat, their root systems allow them to hold onto the surface of a tree or branch—but air plants can also be displayed in containers as a houseplant.

What Is an Air Plant?

Air plants are epiphytic, meaning they grow on other plants or cling to trees and get their moisture from the air. They are a genus of 650 species and are native to the forests, mountains, and deserts of northern Mexico, Southeast United States, and the Caribbean. "They thrive by absorbing nutrients and water from the air through their scales and their leaves," says Pop AnnMarie Chan, plant expert and owner of WLYDBNCH Plants.

How to Care for an Air Plant

Since air plants get their nutrients from the air, they are relatively low maintenance but still require some routine care in order to survive.

Water

Water air plants by soaking them in a bowl of water once a week for at least an hour, says Nancy Gallagher, a horticulturist and design and marketing specialist at Westerlay Orchids. After soaking your air plants, turn them upside down to dry, which prevents water from collecting in the center of the plant and causing rot. In addition to weekly soakings, you should mist your air plants daily with water to increase the humidity.

Soil

Air plants derive their nutrients from the air, so the roots that they have are used for attaching themselves to a tree branch or bark, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University. Because they get their nutrients from the air, these plants do not need soil to survive.

Sunlight

Bright indirect light or dappled shade is ideal for air plants, says Langelo. A southern- or western-facing window is ideal. Avoid giving air plants direct light, which can damage the foliage.

Temperature

Air plants prefer temperatures of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. "They can still do OK at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if you grow them outside," says Langelo. "But don’t let them get to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or they will die."

Fertilizer

Air plants typically don't need fertilizer when grown outdoors. Indoors, however, they can be fertilized in spring and summer using a fertilizer designed for use on epiphytic plants, says Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. Or you can mist them with a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer diluted to about 1/4 strength.

How to Display an Air Plant

There are many ways you can display an air plant, both inside and outside. If you live in zones 9, 10, or 11, you can grow air plants outside all year round. If you go this route, it's best to hang the plant upside down so water doesn't collect and sit in the center of the plant. You can do so by suspending the base of the plant to a branch with fishing wire. Alternatively, you can attach it to another medium, like driftwood, a wire frame, a log, or a trellis, says Langelo.

Indoors, air plants look beautiful when displayed in glass containers, which can be suspended from the ceiling, placed on a windowsill, or kept in the bathroom. Because they like humidity, air plants are commonly placed in terrariums (they look beautiful next to lava rocks).

How to Propagate an Air Plant

The easiest way to propagate air plants is by removing its pups, says Hancock. Once the pups (or offsets) are about half the size of the mother plant, pull or cut them off at the point they are attached. Display the pups in bright, indirect light.

Types of Air Plants

There are many types of air plants you can grow, but these are a few of the most common, Hancock says.

Tillandsia xerographica

Tillandsia xerographica is one of the largest species of air plants. It is a healthy specimen that can easily grow more than 12 inches across and has thick leaves that grow from a central rosette. "These leaves often curl at the ends, giving it a playful look," says Hancock.

Tillandsia ionantha

A frequently grown species, Tillandsia ionantha has rich green leaves and produces purple flowers. "The tips of the leaves often naturally develop bright pink hues, and the pups may form in a ball shape," says Hancock.

Tillandsia tectorum

This species of air plant has gray leaves coming from a central rosette, but what really sets it apart is its leaves that are covered in soft hairs, says Hancock.

Common Problems With Air Plants

While air plants are known for being low maintenance, there are a few problems you may encounter when caring for the houseplant.

Browning Tips

Browning tips mean your air plant is drying out, and it needs to be hydrated. "Pay attention to the signs of curled or folded leaves versus flat leaves," says Langelo. "Curled and folded mean your air plant is drying out, and flat leaves mean your air plant is hydrated. Leaves can also appear lighter in color if the air plant is not hydrated enough."

Root Rot

Sometimes, air plants can suffer from root rot, which is a fungal disease where the roots are mushy and soft. "Overwatering or inadequate drainage causes this," says Langelo. To prevent this, make sure the plant is placed upside down after watering to keep water from pooling in the center.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are small, sap-sucking insects with a white, cottony appearance. "They remove the sap from leaves and stems," says Langelo. "These insects will stunt the plant's growth, yellow the leaves, and eventually kill the plant." To treat them, apply insecticidal soap to the leaves of your air plant.

Sunburn

When the leaves of the air plant start turning white, this is called bleaching the leaves, says Langelo. To prevent this, keep air plants out of direct light, or you may risk losing those blanched leaves.