How to Grow and Care for Air Plants (Grey Tillandsia) Indoors
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Air Plants (Grey Tillandsia) require bright indirect light, average warmth, high humidity and fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Air Plants are unique Bromeliads varieties that do not need to be planted in a potting medium. They have furry scales on their foliage which take up water from humid air and obtain nutrients from air-borne dust and moisture.
Grey Tillandsia unlike Green Tillandsia literally live on air and hence the common name "Air Plants". They can be displayed by sticking them on coral, shells, drift wood, hanging them and many other ways.
On account of their unique growing characteristics, vibrant foliage when in flower and ease of care, Air Plants are among the most popular indoor plants for the home.
Botanical name: Tillandsia
Family: Bromeliaceae
Sufamily: Tillandsidoeae
Flower
When Air Plants bloom, the leaves around the flowers change color and provide a lasting bright display, but the blooms themselves last only a few days. Once the flower-head fades, the rosette of leaves begins to die and is replaced by offsets (pups) at the base.
Types (Varieties)
The most widespread species of Air Plants is Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish Moss) which can be found hanging on trees throughout the warm tropical forests.
Tillandsia caput-medusae is one of the most popular Air Plants whose thick and twisted leaves arise from a bulbous base and has very showy red bracts and blue flowers.
Another common variety is Tillandsia ionatha which forms a compact rosette of arching silvery leaves and grows only a couple of inches tall. Its inner foliage turns red when the stalkless violet flowers appear.
Tillandsia juncea is a long-leaved species whose rush-like foliage spreads outwards and a single flower-stalk bears the terminal blooms well above the heart of the plant.
Tillandsia argentea is a silvery species whose short leaves spread untidily outwards as the plant develops.
Are Air Plants toxic?
No. Air Plants (Grey Tillandsia) are non-toxic to humans and pets. These plants are non-toxic to children, cats, dogs and other pets; they are safe to grow in the home.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add the beautiful Air Plants to your collection, you may obtain them online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
How to care for Air Plants Care indoors
To care for Air Plants indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 70-80% and fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Grey Tillandsia require pruning to keep them neat as well as create enough space of the growth of pups. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Light Requirements
Air Plants grow best in bright indirect light; a spot infront of a large, brightly-lit window is perfect for these plants. Keep them away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
Where the light is not sufficient, the growth will be reduced and the plant may not flower. Therefore, you may use full spectrum grow lights if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Rotate the plant regularly to ensure that it receives light on all sides for even growth.
Watering
Watering Air Plants grown in a glass container
Ensure that the container or terrarium has an opening for proper air circulation to prevent rotting and disease infestations.
Water the plant by daily misting of the leaves in the growing season. Reduce misting to 2-3 times weekly during the cold season.
Watering Air Plants that are in the open
Air Plants can be grown mounted like on these cute ceramic hand shape small containers or on these sea urchin shell holders and any other mounting space.
Water your air plants by dunking; dip the entire plant into a container of water and allow some time for the plant to absorb the water. Dunk the plant 2-3 times per week in the growing season and reduce in the cold season.
Shake off excess water and hang it upside-down to ensure no water remains standing in the center as it can lead to rotting.
To ensure that the plant dries out quickly to avoid crown-rot, water it in the morning so that it can dry out during the day when temperatures are higher than at night.
Use tepid, chlorine-free water like rain water to water Grey Tillandsia. Do not use chlorinated water as they are sensitive to chlorine and may cause it die.
Do not use distilled water as the distillation process removes all the nutrients required for growth.
Make sure that there is good air circulation for the Air Plants to prevent pest and disease infestations.
Temperature & Humidity
Air Plants do well in a warmth of 18-260C. However, to bring the plant to flower may require temperatures above 260C.
Grey Tillandsia require a humidity of 70-80% which mimicks their natural environment. If the humidity is too low, the plant will respond with brown leaf tips.
To elevate humidity, mist it more regularly or use a cool mist humidifier. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to discourage pests and fungal diseases infestation.
Fertilizer
Feed your Air Plants with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 2 weeks during the growing season to enhance growth.
Do not use a fertilizer that contains urea nitrogen as Grey Tillandsia cannot use urea nitrogen. Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and it may cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Pruning
Pruning an Air Plant involves removal of dead leaves to keep the plant neat and to allow adequate room for the new plants to grow. Remove the dead foliage by cutting at the base with a clean knife or a pair of pruning scissors.
Snip off the dry, brown leaf tips with sharp scissors. Cut them at an angle so that they can blend in naturally with the rest of the leaves.
Air Plants Propagation
Air Plants (Grey Tillandsia) are propagated from offsets (pups) appearing at the base of the plant.
When the offset is several months old or 1/3 to 1/2 the height of mother plant, cut it away from the mother plant.
Confirm that the offset has some roots attached for faster establishment. Display the offset on its own and begin routine care.
Read more on how to Propagate Bromeliads from Pups: Bromeliad Propagation from Pups.
Air Plants Problems & Remedies
Air Plants (Grey Tillandsia) problems are brown leaf tips, slow growth & pale leaves, rotting, plant dying, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Air Plant are caused by underwatering, overfeeding or dry air.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Water the plant more regularly and ensure the entire plant is thoroughly soaked.
Overfeeding: Reduce either frequency of feeding or quantity of feed as Air Plants are slow growers and require very minimal feeding.
Dry air: Mist the plant more regularly or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other moist areas in the home.
Slow growth and pale leaves
Slow growth and pale leaves on Air Plants are due to too little light.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Brown or grey slimy crown & roots
Brown or grey slimy crown and roots on Air Plants is an indication of rotting due to excess water standing at the base of the crown.
How to fix it
Trim the rotten roots but if the crown is rotten, discard the plant as it is too far gone and can not be saved.
Always drain excess water from the crown after watering or wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Keep the crown dry at all times.
Whitish leaves even after watering
Whitish leaves on Air Plants even after watering is caused by low air humidity as they require a very humid environment to thrive.
How to fix it
Mist the plant more regularly or place it in a glass bowl and keep a wet sponge inside to increase humidity. A cool mist humidifier is also a good option to raise humidity for the plant.
Reddish, dry & brittle leaves
Reddish, dry and brittle leaves on Air Plants are due to exposure of the plant to direct sunlight for prolonged periods.
How to fix it
Move the plant to a shadier spot or use a light curtain to shield it from direct sunlight.
Pests
Common pests on Air Plants are scales and mealybugs especially in too dry conditions.
How to fix it
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
Increase humidity by more regular misting or by use of a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Plant dying
Air Plants may be dying due to two possible reasons; crown and stem-rot disease or maturity.
How to fix it
1. If it has not flowered, the cause of death is crown and stem-rot disease due to water sitting in the crown.
Always dry any water that settles in the crown after misting or watering.
2. If the plant has flowered then rotting and death of rosette which bore flower-stalk is natural to give room for the new plants.
Remove the dead foliage by cutting at the base with a clean knife or a pair of scissors to allow adequate space for the growth of the pups.
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