Watering Tillandsia (a.k.a. Air Plant)

With its epiphytic characteristics, Tillandsia has earned its nickname, air plant. Instead of the roots, the plants absorb water directly through their leaves, and use their roots as wire-like anchors, hanging on trees and rocks without soil.

Underwatering and Overwatering Your Tillandsia

Probably due to Tillandsia’s common name – Air Plant, many of us tend to think that these plants need very little or no water, as living on air. Well… of course, this is not true. Just like all other plants, Tillandsias need water. Although it is amazing how Tillandsias can survive for long periods of drought, these plants need water to thrive and blossom. When water is scarce, Tillandsias will just stop growing and go dormant. And if the situation continues, Tillandsias will eventually die.

On the other hand, Tillandsias will also rot and die if the plants are left wet for too long.

Watering Tillandsias – How Much is the Right Amount?

Here are the quick guidelines for watering your Tillandsias.

• Water your Tillandsias 2-3 times per week, water more often in hot, dry environment, and less when it is cool or humid.
• A thorough soaking is required to sufficiently fill the cells of the plants.
• Give your Tillandsias enough light and air circulation to dry in no longer than 4 hours. Hence, I would suggest you to water your Tillandsias in the morning so for them to dry by nightfall.

I hadn’t watered my air plants for a long while already.  The look and touch of their leaves told me that I should water my plants soon.  So I threw them into the water and gave them a good soak.

And in just minutes,  my air plants look so beautiful and lively again!

Know Your Tillandsia

What I have just mentioned is only the basic rule of thumb for watering Tillandsias. The watering needs of Tillandsias depend greatly on the size and species of your plants, as well as the temperature and their surrounding environment. The best way to figure out how much to water your Tillandsias is by getting to know your plants. Touch and feel the leaves. After watering, the leaves of Tillandsias will feel stiff and full of water. And when they are in need of water, the leaves will feel soft to the touch and the plant will be lighter in color.

Underwatering can be notice by flaccid, wrinkled or rolled leaves. And for Tillandsias, it is better to underwater than to overwater.

Once you have the right system down that works in your given situation, watering your Tillandsias is a breeze.

Here is my tabletop garden – I Love Air Plants