Gardening 101: How to Water an Air Plant

Tillandsias (air plants) are affable and low-maintenance, but their nickname suggests they need no attention—false. While they don't need soil, they do need water. Here's how:

Hundreds of tillandsia species exist, but all need water to live.

Rule of thumb: water once a week. Adjust: every 5 days in dry air, every 10 days in humid environments.

Instructions:

Step 1: Fill basin, bowl, or sink with water and dunk air plants.

Step 2: After 10 minutes, remove and spread on towel to dry.

Step 3: If still wet, turn upside down to shake water from bases. Be careful with bulbous tillandsias (visible bulbs at base)—waterlogging causes rot.

Step 4: On non-watering days, mist lightly. Plants turn more vivid green as they absorb water.

Read More:

• How to ID an Air Plant
• Display ideas: Hooked on Houseplants, Teen Edition
• More Gardening 101 tips