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How to Care for an Air Plant After Delivery

Are you looking for the perfect houseplant? An increasing number of homeowners choose air plants to be their household companions due to their low-maintenance nature and charming beauty.

Apart from improving the appearance of your home or office, these houseplants require little care. They need no soil, little water, and indirect sunlight to thrive. If you are a person who is constantly on the go, this species is the ideal choice for you. 

The following tips will help you learn how to care for your air plant after delivery.

What are air plants?

This term is another name for Tillandsias, a family of air plants, which consists of 600 species. The Tillandsias family is known for its epiphyte species, meaning these species attach to other plants and trees in search of support with the help of their small roots. Nevertheless, they aren’t parasitic, as they feed off the nutrients and water molecules in the air. 

There are two main types of Tillandsias, xeric and mesic. The former has fuzzy leaves covered with minuscule white hairs called trichomes. These hairs provide assistance to the plant in the process of absorbing nutrients and water. The latter is greener and intolerant of high light levels, thriving in humid environments. Click here to learn more about the types of trichomes and their function. 

Are they easy to care for?

Prior to having Tillandsias delivered, homeowners usually show curiosity about the maintenance of these air plants. They are happy to learn that Tillandsias are remarkably low maintenance, as they require no soil or gardening tools. There are no limitations when it comes to the climates where these houseplants can be looked after, as they have the capacity to thrive not just in cold winters but scorching summers as well. 

The only important thing to take into account is the amount of light they receive, as only indirect sunlight can assist their survival. Therefore, once you have your air plant delivered, opt for the right location, where it won’t be exposed to too much light. 

In terms of the dilemma indoors vs. outdoors, these houseplants can easily adapt to both indoor and outdoor conditions. Anyhow, homeowners aren’t supposed to neglect the influence of weather elements. Tillandsias thrive better in humid conditions than when exposed to freezing temperatures, as it might die. When kept in high-humidity areas, it needs less water to grow.

Moreover, air plants aren’t the best of friends with direct sunlight, which is why homeowners should choose the location in accordance with the light sources. There is a multitude of plant shops, like Planted Pot, selling a variety of air plants.  If kept outdoors, make sure to choose a shaded area. When kept indoors, Tillandsias should be kept several meters away from the window, where it has contact with filtered sunlight. 

Care tips

After the delivery of your air plant, you should start caring for it in the right manner. The caring process is straightforward and uncomplicated as long as you choose the right location. You can place it inside your home, office, or on the balcony. Its survival will be mainly based on the amount of indirect sunlight it’s exposed to. 

As far as soil is concerned, people caring for Tillandsias should know that it needs no soil to grow. In fact, if you plant this houseplant in soil, it won’t survive. These houseplants are versatile, meaning they are capable of attaching to shrubs, trees, shrubs, and rocks for getting the needed support. Hence, homeowners can grow in pots filled with pebbles and rocks, on bookshelves, in plastic globes hanging from the ceiling, etc.

Regarding watering, air plants have different requirements when compared to soil-based houseplants. You should put your Tillandsia in a water bowl with the roots facing upwards for at least half an hour to several hours. This task should be performed once or twice weekly, based on the amount of humidity. Your houseplant should soak more when exposed to dry air. 

When it comes to feeding, air plants don’t require fertilizer, but you can use it to stimulate the flourishing process. The best types include water-soluble nitrogen fertilizers and emulsion fertilizers, administered either daily or monthly. See this URL, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/fish-emulsion-fertilizer.htm, for some useful tips on using fish emulsion fertilizer on houseplants. 

The growth of air houseplants is largely affected by humidity and temperature. They flourish in warmer weather conditions and high humidity. The temperature range in which Tillandsias survive is between fifty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the humidity levels range between fifty and seventy percent. 

In view of pruning, Tillandsias resemble the rest of the houseplants, developing dead and broken leaves. When inspecting your plant, it’s important to remove the brown and broken leaves. If the tips of your Tillandsia are curling and have acquired a brown color, it means it’s not receiving enough water or light. 

Benefits 

Apart from adding personality to the place where these houseplants are displayed, Tillandsias take the role of air purifiers. They absorb not only airborne contaminants but also release fresh oxygen into the atmosphere. They perform photosynthesis at night, which helps homeowners feel refreshed in the morning. These houseplants promote a sense of calmness by reducing stress and improving focus.

To sum up

Tillandsias are low-maintenance, charming, and versatile. 

They will look stunning on your bookshelf or on the desk in your office!

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