How to Grow Air Plants

My first air plant was from a GardenChat friend and I killed it. I do however have the adorable glass globe she gave it to me in. I learned the hard way that AIR PLANT don’t just survive with air. The plant needs to get a nice little bath each week which I will explain further down in the post today.  I didn’t tell my friend until a year later because I was so embarrassed!  It’s good to keep in mind that the plant grows naturally in Florida where it rains every day and is humid.  I’m guessing that the growing environment in the south is where it got its name.  Living in my home (especially during the winter months) with a wood-burning stove for heat is not even close to the plant’s natural way of surviving.  With that in mind I’ve shared a few tips from two of my favorite gardening gals below:

• The air plant gets its nutrients through its leaves or scale.   You will want to soak the plant in water for about 15-20 minutes each week.
• “As for the air plants, rinse them for 20 min once a week. They require indirect light, as orchids do. ” says Cheli of @gildthegarden on Twitter.  Maybe that is why I saw so many at the orchid show.
• A friend in Michigan also shares on her blog to display the air plant at an angle so water will drain off of it.  Leaving the plant sitting in water will cause it to rot.
• If you are lucky enough to get a bloom on an air plant it is time for the plant to go dormant.  Once it has gone through that stage will will produce a ‘pup’.