How to Grow Air Plants? A Detailed Guide to Care Methods

The plant that Qinnong Network is introducing to you today is quite remarkable. It is the only plant on Earth so far that can grow completely without relying on soil, meaning this plant can grow directly exposed to the air and can also bloom with beautiful flowers. It also has a lovely name, "air plant." Below, Qinnong Network introduces the care methods for this plant.

1. Container

Since it does not need to attach to soil, the choice of container naturally depends on your own interest. Many people use shells, stones, tree stumps, and so on for visual appeal. In any case, any container you can think of can be used, as long as the plant can be fixed onto it.

2. Fixing

Speaking of fixing, how exactly should it be fixed? The roots of air plants are not tools for transporting nutrients but serve a fixing role, and can also be understood as a person's "feet," but in the early stage of planting we need auxiliary fixing. You can choose wire or rope for tying, or use glue or hot melt glue to stick it to the container. Or cultivate it by hanging, using copper wire or rope to tie it and suspend it in the air.

3. Temperature

Air plants can tolerate low temperatures of 0°C and high temperatures of 40°C. Most varieties will suffer frost damage below 5°C, and the plant will die below 0°C. The most suitable temperature for growth is 15-30°C. When the temperature is above 25°C, ventilation should be strengthened and air humidity increased. In summer, pay attention to spraying water to humidify and cool down.

4. Water

Since it is not attached to soil and the root system is not a tool for transporting nutrients, how should water be obtained? Anyone who has grown flowers can easily think of it, that is -- spraying water. For the water spraying method for air plants, use a spray bottle to spray water 2-3 times a week. When the weather is relatively dry, spray once a day. When spraying, spray until the leaf surface is completely wet, but be careful not to let water accumulate in the leaf core. If too much water is sprayed, you can turn the plant upside down to let the excess water flow out.

5. Light

Air plants with grayer leaves, more white scales, and thicker, harder varieties need stronger light; while varieties with greener leaves, fewer scales, and softer texture are more shade-tolerant. During care, provide appropriate light according to the variety. The simplest method is to place the plant in a bright spot indoors. If growth is weak and spindly, just supplement light in time.

6. Fertilizing

Here is the same problem again: without soil, how do we fertilize it? The simplest method is to soak the plant in a fertilizer solution diluted 3000-5000 times for 1-2 hours, then take it out, once a week. Stop fertilizing in winter.

The above is Qinnong Network's introduction to air plant care methods. After reading it, do you feel that some traditional planting concepts have been overturned? Actually, although it is called overturned, it is simply that we do not understand this plant very well. In fact, by comparison, air plants are much easier to care for than other plants. The most direct point is that you no longer have to worry about killing the plant because you do not know how to mix soil.