I just got this air plant as a birthday gift last week. I have a plant mister and I plan on misting 2-3 times a week. Is that too little or too much? I’d like as much advice as possible, I really like this plant and I’d like to keep it alive for as long as possible.
by Candid-Smile7174
2 Comments
I mostly copied and pasted this from a previous comment that I made (edited it a little):
There’s arid desert types (more silvery in color) that need more light but less water. I only quick dunk mine once a week.
Then there’s the tropical types (more green ones) that need less light (in the wild they are typically attached to trees under a canopy, with partial sunlight) but more water. I live in a dry environment so I soak mine once a week, plus quick dunk them every other day (which is specifically what mine need to keep the leaf tips from getting dry and crispy).
Air plants don’t need any soil or pots. If they start growing roots, those roots function is to attach themselves to something (like trees in the wild).
Bulb type air plants are hollow on the inside, so water can get trapped inside and cause rot. I only quick dunk mine, but others soak theirs and let it dry out completely before returning it to its spot.
Always dry out airplants upside down (to prevent rot), and they should dry out within 4 hours. I use a small desk fan to help mine dry. Don’t dry them out in front of the window. Airplants have tiny hairs that reflect sunlight (like sunscreen), but are unable to do so when wet. So they are more likely to get burned when wet.
Also, it’s best to soak/dunk/mist airplants in the morning or during the day, but not at night.
“they primarily absorb carbon dioxide at night through a process called CAM photosynthesis; watering at night can disrupt this process and potentially lead to rot from prolonged wetness.”
Be careful keeping the bottom inside that pot, if it can’t breathe it will rot.