Plant Care
Indoor Care
It is important to maintain AirPlants properly. They can be real easy and
almost maintain themselves in certain conditions. Key Factors for proper
care are Light, Clean Water and Good Air Circulation.
Light: Indoors we see a variety of ways to promote good lighting for your
plants. Grown or placed by a window especially with morning or afternoon
sun or all day November thru March creates healthy growth and blooms. Bright
Filtered Light is important for good growth and blooms. Fresh Moving air from
time to time is refreshing for these plants as well.
You can use fluorescent bulbs to grow indoors. A full spectrum fluorescent is best.
Watering: Air plants absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves,
unlike traditional plants. Mist the plants thoroughly 1-2 times a week using
a spray bottle. Ensure that the water reaches all parts of the
plant, including the leaves base and underside. During drier climates or
hotter seasons, more frequent misting may be necessary. Soaking plants every
other week can help fend of dehydration.
Indoor tricks: your plants a little rain from time to time they will
love you for it. Our trick is to use clean water. Tap can be very hard and most
treated water in America is treated with Chlorine and sometimes Ammonia to
keep the chlorine from evaporating. Dunk them in your pond or fresh water
source. Indoors we suggest a water every other day unless given a good soak
from time to time with clean water. Rain water can hold in the plant for days
and in some environments weeks.
Air Circulation: AirPlants love good air circulation. After a good watering the
moisture on the plants should evaporate within 4 hours. That is a nice rule of
thumb as if we see the plants sitting with water or on water hours later rot
could appear. AirPlants love moisture but if constantly in wet conditions they may suffer.
Light: AirPlants love bright but filtered light (April thru October) AirPlants love
direct sun (November thru March). They grow best under a filtered light canopy
like a greenhouse or patio or porch or under trees. Fresh air circulation is
favorable and some nice filtered light. Best temperature range is between
50-90 degrees F. 35-50 is tolerable and can add some unique color but long
exposure can dehydrate.
Fertilization: While air plants can gather nutrients from the air, occasional
fertilization can enhance their growth. Recommend using a
gentle, water-soluble orchid or bromeliad fertilizer at 1/4 to 1/2
strength once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).
Caution against over-fertilization, as it can be detrimental to the plants.
Sun Warning, Caution!
As we get into Summer we are removing the mid-day sun from our plants and letting only filtered sun in. A by-weekly soak on the plants is great for quick pick me ups.