Most healthy Tillandsia will bloom eventually, but they require proper care and plenty of light in order to do so. To help speed up the blooming process, you can use a diluted fertilizer like our specially formulated Air Plant Food once per month or so to encourage blooms and pup production.

How do you get air plants to flower?

Most healthy Tillandsia will bloom eventually, but they require proper care and plenty of light in order to do so. To help speed up the blooming process, you can use a diluted fertilizer like our specially formulated Air Plant Food once per month or so to encourage blooms and pup production.

Should I cut the flower off my air plant?

Sad but true, every air plant will only bloom once in its lifetime. Once the flower has dried up, you should trim off the entire flower stalk, as this will promote “pupping.” Tillandsia “Pups” are simply new plants forming at the base of the plant.

How long does it take for an air plant to flower?

The quick answer is, Air Plants are slow to grow, and will only blossom once in their life-span! This can take between a year and two years. Today we’ll take a closer look at Air Plant growth and blossoming.

What types of air plants that bloom?

Other plants have a single flower that comes from the middle of the plant on a short “stem.” Plants with these kind of blooms are the stricta, houston, aeranthos, capitata, and harrisii.

How long does it take for air plants to grow pups?

How long until Pups arrive? You can expect pups to begin developing shortly after your plants first bloom cycle. It will generally take up to six months for your Tillandsia to produce its very first bloom. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that there are some species of air plant that may take several years to bloom.

What is the lifespan of an air plant?

What is this? Air plant blooms have a different lifespan – some lasting only few days to 2-4 weeks. However, some larger air plants’ blooms, such as t. xerographica, can last for much longer, for around a year.

How many times does an air plant flower?

Tillandsia flower at maturity and will only bloom once in their life. The mother plant will start producing baby plants (or pups) when they are nearing maturity. She will then die off, but each pup will grow into a mature plant and flower, although this could take years.

How often do air plants produce pups?

On average, air plants will create 1 to 3 pups after the blooming process. Some varieties can product many, many more. Separating Pups from the mother plant: You can gently remove offsets from the mother plant when they grow to be about 1/3 the size of the mother.

What happens after air plants bloom?

Air plants die after blooming, but not very soon. After the blooming period, new air plant pups will form, and the mother plant will send most of its nutrients and energy to them. The mother plant will eventually dry out and die, but you will have more new air plants in return.

Article first time published on

Should I cut brown tips off air plants?

If some of the leaves have turned brown, you should carefully cut off those leaves without damaging the healthy part of the plant. We recommend you not to cut off the brown part of the leaf straight out; in fact, tilt your scissors and trim the leaf in a more natural shape.

Should you take dead leaves off air plants?

Air plants should be trimmed, especially the dead and brown leaves so new ones can grow. … Cutting off the roots is optional and won’t hurt the plant. It’s also up to you to detach the air plant’s pups once they’re grown.

What air plants should not be soaked?

Air plants with wispy leaves, such as the T. fuchsii v gracilis and T. andreana, should not be soaked. These plants do better with quick dunks or misting.

Why is my air plant turning red?

If your Tillandsia stricta is turning red, a change in color means that the plant is maturing. Air plants turning red also indicate that you have cared for it well by providing an adequate amount of light water and air. … So, air plant red tips are common if they receive enough sunlight.

How do I know if my air plant is healthy?

Tip: Watch your plants’ leaves for clues on whether they are thirsty or not. Curly leaves are drier and a healthy white fuzz actually means your plant is healthy, not necessarily drying out. Brown leaf tips and a general shriveled appearance are other clues you are under-watering.

Are air plants perennials?

The term “air plant” refers to any of roughly 500 different species of flowering perennial plants in the Tillandsia genus, part of the Bromeliad family. They require no soil for their roots.

Can you trim an air plant?

Take care when trimming or pruning the leaves of your air plant, making sure not to cut off too much of the length of the healthy leaves. While hardy and tolerant, cutting the air plant’s leaves down too much will reduce the surface area for the plant to absorb its nutrients.

How often should an air plant be watered?

How often do I water my air plants? Your plants should be watered once per week, and 2-3 times is recommended for optimal care. A longer, 2-hour soak is recommended every 2-3 weeks. If you are in a drier, hotter climate, more frequent watering or misting will be needed.

How do air plants multiply?

Air plants, which belong to the genus Tillandsia, reproduce like other flowering plants. They produce flowers, which leads to pollination, and the production of seeds. Air plants also produce offsets – new, smaller plants that are known as pups. Air plant pups will form even if the plant has not been pollinated.

How do you make air plants grow bigger?

If you want to give your plants an extra boost, you can fertilize them once a month in addition to regular waterings, which will encourage faster growth, blooming, and pup formation. Take a look at and purchase our specially formulated Tillandsia fertilizer to promote your air plant’s growth!

Do air plants grow and get bigger?

Do Air Plants Grow Bigger? If your air plant is a pup (baby air plant) then it will grow to full size depending on its species. As stated above, air plants range in size from two inches to seven feet so research your variety to find out more about how big it will grow.

Can you over water air plants?

Overwatering air plants is bad news. It is the most common reason why they die. So if you see that their bases start to turn dark then the leaves fall out from the middle or if they have mushy roots, and yellowing leaves, it is necessary to take immediate actions to prevent any permanent damage that may occur.

Can you put succulents and air plants together?

If you crave variety, you can create a mixed terrarium with succulents and air plants of varying textures. Just make sure that your air plant does not get planted in soil or sit in moisture as this can cause rot.

Why does my air plant have brown tips?

There is another common culprit of brown leaf tips. Your air plant may be getting too much sun. While they do enjoy being in nice filtered sunlight, if they are in direct sun all day long, this can cause your plant to get sunburned and turn brown. Browning leaf tips can also occur from not watering your plant enough.

What to do with Tillandsia after flowering?

The best thing that you can do after an air plant blooms, is to continue watering it and giving it adequate sunlight. Now is also a good time to fertilize as this can help with pup growth. Soon you might notice tiny “pups” under the leaves of the mother plant.

How do you soak air plants with blooms?

Soak your air plants in a bowl of water for 20 minutes to an hour every week to 10 days is best. Submerge the entire plant. If your plant has a bloom, you may wish to keep the bud above the water to not disturb it, although in nature they get wet all the time.

How fast does Tillandsia Xerographica grow?

Keep in mind it may take about eight years for the seedling to become a full-grown plant. The king of air plants begins producing a pup about six months to two years after its first bloom.

How do you propagate air plants?

The easiest way to propagate your air plant is to remove offsets, or pups, that grow from the base of the mother plant. One to three pups will appear after the plant’s bloom cycle. Depending on the look you’re going for, you may wish to leave the pups on the mother plant to create an air plant cluster.

How do I know if my air plant is dying?

If the base of the plant turns brown or black, and leaves are falling out or off from the center, your plant has likely succumbed to rot. Air plants are pretty easygoing when it comes to their temperature. They do best between 50-90 degrees F.

Can you transplant an air plant?

Planting Air Plants Ever. They’re epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants, not in the ground. Because they don’t need dirt, you can put them in creative places.

Do air plants grow roots?

Tillandsia, or more commonly known as air plants, are loved by all due to their aesthetic nature and soil-free houseplant reputation. But wait, then why are they growing roots? It is true, air plants do have roots! Air plant roots are completely natural.