Air plant are an oddity in the world of houseplant — unlike many plant life , they do n’t needsoil to last . In nature , gentle wind plants , or Tillandsia , are epiphytic , which intend that they confiscate themselves to other plants alternatively of growing on the ground . They run wet and food from the air through little hairs call up trichomes .
When the soil dry out for a typical flora , that ’s when you know that it ’s watering time . But what do you do with a soilless breeze plant ? If you ’ve always wonder when and how to irrigate an zephyr plant , you ’re not alone . For a palmy industrial plant , read ahead to find out the secrets to watering air plant .
When to water to your air plant
When it comes to manage , the air plant has like requirements with other houseplants — it enjoys smart indirect brightness level and temperate room temperatures . The biggest difference between an air travel industrial plant and your distinctive indoor flora is the watering requisite . Since air plant do n’t live in soil , it ’s tricky to recognise when it ’s watering time .
Luckily , your airwave plant foliage will give you hints about when it require water . A hydrated zephyr plant feel firm to the tactile sensation , and its color will be slightly deeper . An aviation plant that could use a beverage will feel piano and its color will come out faded . Thirsty air plants sometimes feature curled and wither folio , too .
Ways to water an air plant
There really are two way to water an tune flora : obscure and soaking . The method that ’ll turn best for you depends on your environs and your specific plant . Here ’s an overview of each technique .
Misting
Misting an air works really is as simple as it sounds . Spray all of the aerofoil area on your plant without depart any ironical patches . verify not to get too much water on the crown of the plant , which can cause rot . After misting , shake off extra water . With the misting method acting , you ’ll be spritzing your plant every day ( or every other day ) of the week , so it ’s a great technique for hands - on plant life parents . Misting also works best for those who live in relatively humid region , where air plant can supplement misting with moisture from the air .
Soaking
Soaking is less eminent sustentation than often spritzing your works , but it does require that you pay attention to how long you ’re pluck your plant . With soaking , submerge your industrial plant into a bowl of water for anywhere between half an hour to an minute once or twice a workweek . After soak your melodic phrase plant , grade it on a paper towel with the crown facing down so that extra water descend off . If you live in a dry or hot arena , soaking is credibly best for you .
When it ’s especially dry or spicy inside your home , you may alternate between pluck and fog your flora as well . Some people will simply irrigate them by dunking them in water for about five second gear a few times a week , attain a equilibrium between misting and soaking .
So , which method suits which kinds of melodic line plants ? aboriginal to semi - arid surroundings , breeze plants such as Tillandsia xerographica can manage drought , which is why they ’re more probable to be able to address misting . lowly tropical plant , such as Tillandsia ionantha may appreciate a dependable soaking rather , although misting them frequently can act upon as well .
Air plant watering issues
How to fertilize an air plant
While not always necessary , feeding an melody plant can encourage pups and flower . fecundate an air flora really just requires another extra step when you irrigate it . Before soaking or mist your plant , add together a few driblet of liquid fertiliser to your water so that it ’s or so at quarter strength . you may use an all - purpose fertilizer or one specifically pitch towards air plants . fertilise close to once a month during the spring and summer while keep up with hebdomadal lachrymation .
Figuring out which watering method works best for your aviation plant can take some trial and erroneousness . It ’s wanton to neglect these broken - upkeep works completely , but it ’s also just as soft to give them too much H2O . With an understanding of your personal surround and what form of industrial plant you have , you ’ll be capable to master the art of watering an aura plant for gorgeous blooms and prolific pups .
