Air plants are plants Simple care that requires little maintenance and watering. Today we are going to see what they are, what care they require and everything you need to know to have them at home.
So if you are interested in air plants or plants in general stay reading the article to find out more of these beautiful plants.
If you already know what these types of plants called "air plants" look like, you will surely think about how beautiful they are, with their small, pointed leaves that open in all directions. If you haven't heard of them yet, chances are you'll love them. Let's get to know them.
What are air plants?
They are plants belonging to the Bromeliaceae family, which makes them related to pineapples. They are also known as Tillandsias and they are very peculiar plants because They do not need to be planted in the ground. These characteristics have made them allies of interior and exterior decoration.
Depending on each one of them, they can be in terrariums, in pots or simply hanging in the air without further ado. Paying attention to Feng Shui (also very popular in home decoration) air plants They bring prosperity, harmony and good energies. It seems that everything is an advantage and there are more than 650 species.
Originally these plants They live in the crowns of trees using their roots for support, not as a vehicle to capture nutrients. The curious thing about these plants is precisely that it is the leaves that capture nutrients from the air itself.
Most common species to have at home
Epiphytes: This species of air plant needs other plants since it depends on them for even though they do not suffocate them. An example is the air carnation.
Lithophytes: They develop on stones, cement or wood, feeding not only on the air but also on what is released by the chosen support. For example we have Tillandsia Tectorum.
Greens: They receive this name because of their intense green color; they need a temperate climate to survive. An example is Vanilla planifolia.
Grey: again the color of its leaves serves as its name. This is the most resistant species since it retains moisture much better. An example is the Magnusiana.
Care of air plants that we should know
After having known what they are like, it is likely that you will have doubts about the care they should take: How are they watered? How much light should they have? What temperature is ideal?
Watering Air Plants
Let's start at the beginning, air plants are nourished precisely by air, obviously something their name refers to. But of course They need water to live. They can be watered in two ways: by spraying or immersing them in water. This last option is the ideal. It is likely that as the plant is arranged, it is somewhat difficult to water them by immersion, which is why they can be sprayed. It is advisable, however, to water them by immersion a couple of times a month if you want to spray them for convenience.
How to water by spraying?
Watering with spray water should be abundant. In summer daily and in winter every three or four days. Without forgetting that a couple of times a month it is advisable to submerge them in water.
We must keep one thing in mind and that is that inside the house the humidity remains worse than outside So we will have to be more attentive to the plants to see if they ask us for water.
How do you give dipping plants?
Once a week (twice a month in the case of spray irrigation as well), the plants should be picked and immerse them in water for 20 to 30 minutes. After these minutes, the plants are removed, moving them a little so that the excess water falls. We must let the plants dry in a place with light and good air circulation for at least 4 hours.
Each month, in addition, one of the waterings should be longer, reaching two hours. There is a moment, yes, where We must avoid immersion irrigation and only spray it when the plants are flowering.
How do I know if my air plant needs water?
The leaves will have a lighter or softer color, its leaves can reach roll up, wrinkle or look weaker or softer. In these cases, the ideal is to submerge the plant in water as soon as possible because a spray will be of little use.
The good thing about these plants is that they recover easily. They can withstand long periods of drought, although this does not imply that we regularly water them less than recommended.
Where to place them depending on the light?
Air plants need a indirect sunlight. They are perfect to have inside the house in those places where we want to give a little nature but the light does not reach directly and other plants look sadder. Besides, fluorescent light is also good for you which is why they are perfect for work too.
Direct sunlight can hit it from time to time, the problem is that If it is too abundant, it dries the plant too much and we will have to water it every two days. approx.
If we observe that our plant has a slow growth, it is an indication that it needs more light. It is something that we can notice especially in winter.
What is the ideal temperature for air plants?
We should keep our plants at a temperature between 10ºC and 30ºC. Below that temperature it is most likely that our plant will die. In places with low temperatures, the ideal is to always have them inside the house to avoid freezing days.
Other care to take into account
Sometimes we can see that the leaves of our air plants dry out or turn golden. We must cut those leaves to keep the plant healthy, and we can help it by giving it some specific nutrients for air plants. Also, learn on plant substrates will allow you to improve its growth.
Air plants reproduce, They have children and they are called puppies. We must leave the mother with her puppy until it is almost the same size as the mother. There we can tear them off and find a separate place. And the support can be very varied, so you choose!
