Air plants, or Tillandsia are a unique group of plants known for their ability to absorb water and nutrients through their leaves. Most are epiphytes, have little to no root system, and commonly grow in trees, perched in the canopy. Because they are easy to care for, they make ideal house plants.
Water
We recommend giving your plant a soak in a bath of distilled water for 5-20 minutes once or twice a week. You can use a bowl, the sink or even the bathtub if you have a large collection. After their soak, gently shake the plants to remove any excess water from the base and the leaves, and set out to dry in an area with enough air circulation to dry them out. A plant in bloom should be rinsed or heavily misted with distilled water rather than submerged and take care when rinsing the delicate flowers.
Light
Air plants prefer bright, indirect light. That means place them close to a window that only gets morning sun, under a porch awning, or any place that gets bright light but no burning afternoon sun.
Temperatures
Air plants do best in generally warm conditions 50-90 degrees F. They love being outside for the summer and can be equally happy inside year round.
Maintenance
It is normal for a few of the lower leaves of your air plants to dry out as the plant grows or acclimates to a new environment. Those leaves can be trimmed or gently pulled off. If the leave tips have turned brown you can trim the dried ends off.
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