How Fast Do Air Plants Grow?

Not everyone knows all to do with plants, so it comes by no surprise that a person would be concerned for their air plant.

You have probably had the air plant in your home for a while now, have been treating it with care and nourishment yet it’s still as small as when you first got it. Do these plants ever grow?

The Air Plant

The air plant (also referred to as the Tillandsia) is native to the mountains and forests of northern Mexico. The plants have a unique look to them with long spiky leaves spreading out in each direction. 

Air plants are not your typical plants and take some work, however so long as you are putting in that effort then your plant will eventually grow.

How Fast Do They Grow?

If you are someone who is concerned about the health of their air plant, then you should know there is truly nothing to worry about.

It is completely natural for an air plant to take its time growing (they only grow less than an inch within their first two years!). 

As for blooming, this only occurs once for these plants. However, after this they are still able to produce offsets – this can last for years.

Although the growth time may seem too long to some, this should be something to get your spirits up. There is something rewarding about seeing the gradual growth of the air plant, all thanks to your care.

How Air Plants Grow

Air plants are very unique in many aspects, but the one thing that makes them the most unique is the way they grow. We have already acknowledged their slow growth, so now let’s look into how exactly they grow.

The air plant is very different to your typical house plant, for they only bloom once before they eventually die, but some consider these plants to live forever.

Even though air plants only bloom once, they produce pups and these pups can be propagated to grow into new air plants.

Caring For Air Plants

Unlike other plants, air plants do not have roots so the process of caring for an air plant is much different.

For many, they do not know what to expect when it comes to caring for an air plant, so to help we have put together a helpful guide.

No Soil Is Needed

The thought of a plant not needing soil is enough to scare people away, but this does not make it any less of a plant.

Without soil your gut reaction may be to not show the same dedication to it as others, but the air plant still does require plenty of attention.

Even though there is no need for soil, this plant still requires plenty of watering and plenty of sunlight.

Watering

Air plants do not have any roots but that does not mean that they do not need plenty of watering.

In their natural environment, air plants are surrounded by humidity and plenty of natural rainfall, so it is up to us to imitate this to have the air plant growing strong. 

It is important to water your air plant once a week (some can handle once every two weeks). There is a certain technique that needs to be followed when it comes to watering these plants.

What you need to do is take your air plant and place it in a small jar. 

Put enough water in this jar to submerge the plant and let this soak for around half an hour to an hour. You then need to remove it from the water and let it fully dry – do this by leaving it out on the side with the sun.

Light

Although air plants require plenty of sunlight, it is essential to monitor how much direct light they are receiving. In their natural habitat, air plants are in shaded areas, so it is necessary to keep your plant out of direct sunlight.

Heat

The temperature of the air plant is very important to monitor. These plants love nothing more than the heat, so it is important to make sure their temperature is stable.

Anything below 45 degrees Fahrenheit is a cause for concern; in this low a heat they will eventually die.

How Easy Are Air Plants To Grow?

Air plants are very easy to grow and are beginner friendly. They require less work as there are no roots or soil involved, however this does not mean that they should be forgotten about. 

What these plants require is water, to be kept at a sensible temperature and to be kept away from direct sunlight.

Although the amount of times they need to be watered is few, they should still be monitored frequently. 

If you choose to, you can get a spray bottle, fill it up with water and spray the plant daily. By doing this, you are not overwatering it but instead allowing it to stay green and fresh.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the air plant is a great plant to have. Not only are they a great addition to the home in the way they look, but their growth is fascinating.

Air plants are very unique and are completely different from your ordinary house plants. Unlike others, the air plants do not have roots and because of this they do not require soil.

But, with this said, that does not mean that they don’t need the utmost care and attention.

Air plants require just as much attention as other plants and have very specific rules to help them grow strong.

These plants need to be watered only once a week but can sometimes last as much as two weeks without watering. 

As well as this, they also need to be at a suitable heat – a temperature any lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit is a cause for concern. It is also important to keep them out of direct sunlight to mimic their natural environment. 

Air plants may take a while to grow, but they are everlasting and a great plant to add to your home collection.