how to grow an air plant from seed

How long does it take to grow an air plant from seed?

Well altogether - they are called Air Plants as they get their nutrients from water and the air and as you can see you can propagate tillandsia from seeds, but it takes two to four years to grow the plant to a suitable size for enjoyment.

Is it easy to grow air plants from seeds?

To grow air plants from seeds, you will need to wait for your air plant to bloom, and then pollinate it. Few months after pollination (if successful), it should release seeds from seed pods that burst open. You can also buy ready seeds like this, and then start germinating them.

How can I make my air plant grow faster?

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!

How do you start growing air plants?

Air plants do best with at least a few hours of bright, indirect sun daily. Placement within 1 to 3 feet of an east- or west-facing window, or within a foot or two of an artificial light source is ideal. If you keep them well watered, they can have hotter, more direct sun and longer exposure. Avoid dimly lit locations.

How do you water air plants that are glued?

The best way to water glued air plants is to try to soften the glue and take the plant out. You can also dunk the glued air plant and make sure it's dry within 3-4 hours. You can try taking out your air plant by soaking the base (not too much) and wiggling it, and hopefully over time, it can separate from glue.

How long do air plants live?

Tillandsias are tropical plants that usually live for several years and will bloom and produce flowers only one time during their lifetime. The flowers are striking and brilliantly colored, and the bloom period will last several days to many months, depending on the species.

Do air plants have babies?

Just before, during or after flowering, depending on the species, your air plant will reproduce by sending out 2-8 “pups”. These baby air plants, which start out very small, will eventually grow into their own mother plants. Pups can safely be separated from the mother plant when they're about ⅓-½ its size.

Do you plant air plants in soil?

Air plants are usually tiny, easy to grow, and they don't need soil. As the name implies, air plants absorb nutrients and water from the air through scales on their leaves. They're having a moment as houseplants because they're easy to care for and don't need much light to thrive.

Can you propagate air plants from leaves?

Remove the tillandsia from the water and move the plant to a flat work surface. Gently spread the leaves of the plant to reveal the pups at its base. Work the leaves apart with your fingers to locate where the plants are connected. Separate the pups from the parent plant by gently pulling the plants apart at the base.

What do you feed air plants?

We like to use a low-nitrogen bromeliad fertilizer. Low-nitrogen fertilizers are best for air plants because it helps encourage blooming and offset production in Tillandsia. It's also very important to use a non-urea-based nitrogen fertilizer, as this will provide nitrogen that is usable for Tillandsia.

Do air plants live forever?

Because new plants are constantly being budded, your air plant can effectively live forever as long as you leave the smaller plants in place and let them continue to grow. So even if your slow-growing air plant seems as unchanging as a pet rock, there is a lot going on.

Where do air plants grow?

Air plants can be found growing in trees, amongst rocks, in deserts, in rainforests, on cliffs and rock faces, and even on cacti. Most air plants are native to areas such as the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and South America, and some are even found growing in the southern United States.

Can you put air plants in sand?

> You don't need soil for your air plants to thrive, so no need to include it here. In fact the majority of air plants should NOT be planted in soil. You can easily layer moss, sand, or rock to create variation and texture in your terrarium.

Can you overwater an air plant?

Tip: Overwatering Air Plants: Worry less about overwatering an air plant and worry more about letting the water drain away from your plant after watering. After the plant has dried, about 4 hours, return it to its display. Remember that air plants do not absorb water from their roots. ... This will prevent rot.

Can you grow air plants outside?

Air plants do really well outside. Place in your backyard tree, in a screened porch or patio area so your plant receives the filtered light it needs. Plants grow in humid outdoor environments and should be misted once a week.

Is it OK to hot glue air plants?

When using glue, you can use a plant safe glue, such as E6000, which is also waterproof. Make sure to take extra care when gluing to not get glue on any of the leaves, just dab the glue on the base of the plant and let it dry to attach. ... Hot glue isn't waterproof and won't last as long as other types of anchoring.

Can I soak my air plants overnight?

If your air plant is ever looking 'thirsty' or like it's struggling, you can soak them in water (in a bowl or sink) for several hours or overnight. This can often help to revive your tillandsia. When watering your tillandsia, rainwater or pond water are best. Do not water with distilled or artificaially softened water.

Which air plants should not be soaked?

The T. pruinosa, and T. seleriana both have ample trichomes which is another reason why they shouldn't be soaked. Soaking might cause them to rot due to too much water.

What does an overwatered air plant look like?

Sign of over-watering

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.

How long can air plants go without water?

How much water do they need? Tillandsias are really resistant plants that can survive for long periods without water but that doesn't mean they don't need it. If you forget to spray them for more than two weeks it will be possible to save it with water and love.

How often should I spray my air plant?

How often to mist air plants? In this case, mist the plants 3 to 7 times a week, depending how dry your home air is and what time of year. Summertime plants need more water while they can sustain on less in winter.