How To Hydrate A Flowering Air Plant?

Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are low-maintenance epiphytes that require water and humidity. They can be watered using a soaking method, where the plant is left to soak in distilled water for 20 to 40 minutes every 1 to 2 weeks. However, some air plants prefer regular watering.

Watering can be more difficult with flowering air plants, as they require more frequent watering while in bloom. To avoid overwatering, underwatering, rot, and mold, it is essential to ensure the water doesn’t accumulate in the center of the plant. The best water for air plants is rainwater, pond or aquarium water, which contains some nutrients. When air plants bloom, they need more water, but be cautious not to submerge the bloom stalk while soaking the plant. A light mist will help prevent wilting and prolong the life of the flowers.

To water air plants, soak them in a bowl, sink, or tub of water for 20 to 30 minutes once a week. Be cautious during watering to avoid submerging the bloom, and keep in mind that larger plants may require more frequent watering as they direct energy towards the flowers. If your plants need an in-between watering, misting them with a spray bottle is a great method. A plant in bloom should be rinsed rather than submerged in water.

In summary, air plants, also known as Tillandsia, require regular watering to maintain their health and happiness. Proper watering techniques, such as submerging the leaves in water and misting them with a spray bottle, can help ensure the longevity and health of these plants.

Should I cut the flower off my air plant?

Post-bloom care is crucial for air plants, as they are not doomed to die once their bloom has passed. The blooming cycle is the beginning of their reproductive cycle, in which offspring, or “pups”, are formed. The plants will naturally start fading after producing mature pups that can survive on their own, not when the blooms have passed.

The inflorescence of air plants consists of the stalk or stem, bract from which flowers emerge, and flowers themselves. Air plants have colorful bracts and flowers ranging from purple to orange to bright pink. The duration of blooming flowers varies among species and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The bracts of air plants tend to last longer than the flowers, and their attractive coloration can often last for several months after the spent bloom has passed. Larger species of Tillandsia, such as the Xerographica, tend to have longer bloom cycles, some over a year.

Once the bloom has passed, you can either leave the dried flowers and bract intact to observe the plant’s natural cycle or remove the flowers and trim the bract towards the base. Trimming the inflorescence will not harm the plant and will help encourage pup growth. The timing of pup growth depends on the plant’s care and environment, so don’t be discouraged if the offspring don’t appear immediately after the bloom has passed.

Once the pups have started to grow and mature, the mother plant will typically fade and eventually die off. The pups can be removed once they are about 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the mother plant to live on their own and eventually start to mature and bloom themselves. Some air plant species, like the Ionantha family, are prolific pup producers and will eventually grow as a clump of several plants if left to reproduce naturally.

How to make air plants flower?

Air plants can bloom indoors under certain conditions, such as direct sunlight from windows facing south, east, or west, or moving them around the house to catch as much light as possible. Outdoors, if weather permits, can be the best option, with filtered light and monitored water levels. If outdoor locations aren’t feasible, grow lights can be used, such as LED lights spilling onto tillandsia, which works well with natural light from windows. It’s important to water plants when increasing the light, as it can affect their growth.

How to remove dead flower from air plant?

Once the blooms of the air plants have been admired, the decision as to whether they should be left on the plant or removed for aesthetic purposes is at the discretion of the owner. The blooms may be removed from the bracts either by gentle pulling or by cutting the stalk close to the base. The removal of the spike allows the plant to redirect its energy towards the formation of new pups.

Is it rare for air plants to flower?

Air plants, such as Tillandsia, are unique houseplants that bloom once in their lifetime, with leaves ranging from orange to pink to purple. As they grow, they change color, emerge from the center, and form tiny offsets around the base. This raises questions about the plant’s health and what to expect.

Air plants start as seedlings or offsets, which are encased in hair-like “parachutes” that travel through the wind until they attach to their new host. Tillandsias typically spend the first two years of their life under an inch tall. Growing air plants from seed is a tedious and time-consuming task, but most air plant owners are familiar with raising pups, which grow and bloom faster than seedlings.

The growth rate of an air plant depends on the species and the type of climate or environment it lives in. Xeric plants, such as the great Xerographica, have a longer and slower growth cycle than mesic plants like Ionantha or Abdita. The amount of light, airflow, and humidity provided affects the plant’s health and growth rate. Following basic care tips can help raise a healthy air plant that will bloom and reproduce in the future.

How many times can an air plant bloom?

Care for a blooming air plant is crucial as Tillandsia flowers only bloom once in their lifetime. To ensure the plant stays healthy and continues to delight, it is essential to provide proper hydration and nutrients during the blooming period. The larger the air plant, the longer the blooms will be. Extra watering and Tillandsia fertilizer may be necessary as the plant exerts all its energy into the bloom and pup formation. To prevent wilting and prolong the life of the flowers, be careful not to submerge the bloom stalk while soaking the plant.

Maintaining the spent bloom stalk is another option. Dead flowers can be removed from the inflorescence, and once the bloom stalk has dried and lost its colors, it can be gently snipped and removed near the base. This helps the plant focus its energy on creating offspring known as pups. These new growths can emerge before, during, or after the bloom. Sometimes pup formation takes several months, so be patient and continue with the plant’s regular watering routine.

Eventually, pups will grow near the base of the plant or between the bottom leaves. Once they have grown to about 1/3 the size of the mother plant, they can be separated to live on their own. A gentle pull or small scissors or a knife can be used to cut the pup from the mother plant. For further pup removal tips and instructions, refer to the blog about dividing air plant pups.

What happens to Tillandsia after flowering?

Air plants only bloom once in their lifetime, so trimming off the entire flower stalk after drying up promotes “pupping”. Tillandsia “Pups” are new plants forming at the base of the plant, typically growing two months after the mother plant or main base stops blooming. You can either twist and pull new pups off the mother plant or leave them on as they clump together. Wait until pups are 1/3 to half the size of the mother plant before removing them.

What to do with air plant flower?

Maintaining a regular care routine for air plants in bloom is crucial, especially when it comes to the delicate flowers. Watering should be cautious to avoid submerging the bloom, and larger plants may require more frequent watering due to their focus on flowering. Fertilizing can encourage blooming and pup production. The lifespan of air plant flowers varies, with some lasting only a day and others persisting for up to a week.

Some tillandsia species, like straminea and duratii, produce fragrant blooms, adding a sensory element to your collection. Once the bloom has completed its cycle, gently remove it to promote pup production. Learn more about the air plant blooming cycle in our blog series.

Should I water a blooming air plant?

Air plants require regular watering to thrive, whether indoors or outdoors. They cannot access moisture from the air like they would naturally in the wild, so hydration is crucial. To water air plants, you can use soaking or misting techniques, depending on the plant’s type (mesic or xeric) and a combination of both. Fill a deep container or sink with rainwater or pond or aquarium water, and submerge the plants for 30-60 minutes. Gently remove the plants and shake off excess moisture.

Lay each plant on a paper towel or clean cloth for an hour to drain any leftover water. Alternatively, use a small fan at low settings to speed up the drying process. This method is recommended for most air plants.

Which air plants should not be soaked?

Air plants, such as Xerographica, Tectorum Ecuador, Bulbous Air Plants, Fuchsii v Gracilis and Andreana, Magnusiana, and Blooming Air Plants, should be soaked or misted to maintain their health and longevity. Xeric plants, which have an abundance of trichomes, should be soaked once a week, while plants with bright green leaves and less trichomes should be soaked once a week. However, bulbous plants with bright green smooth leaves should not be soaked for extended periods, as water can trap in their bases and cause rot.

Xerographica air plants, which come from dry regions, should be sprayed or dunked rather than soaked. They can withstand less water and more sun, so it is recommended to gently shake the plant and let it dry upside down to prevent water from getting trapped in its leaves.

Is it better to soak or mist air plants?

Misting and soaking are two different watering techniques for air plants. Misting provides hydration and simulates the plant’s natural environment, and should be done 2-3 times a week. Soaking ensures thorough hydration and nutrient absorption, and works best if done periodically, about once a week. To water air plants, soak them every week or every ten days, and look for signs like wrinkled or curling leaves to know if they are dehydrated.

Mist them between soaking sessions to avoid leaf issues, especially in dry climates. At least 2 to 3 times a week is recommended for hydration, but some air plant varieties, like Spanish moss, may need more frequent spraying, even daily.

Should you soak a flowering air plant?

When watering air plants in bloom, it is crucial to avoid getting the flower wet. Instead of soaking the bottom leaves, run water over them or dunk them to prevent rot. Overwatering can cause rot to take over the leaves and kill the plant. It is better to underwater slightly than overwater, and misting is not an adequate amount for most air plants. For more information on watering air plants, visit the page on How to Water and Air Plant and the blog post on Tips for Watering Your Air Plants.