The air plant is one of the fascinating plant species on the planet. It is a plant that does not require soil to grow, leading to the name.
This plant has adapted over the years to be able to draw nutrients and moisture from the air. Its roots are mainly used to give it support on the host plant.
Caring for air plants is relatively simple; regular watering, good air circulation, and a good amount of light. Your plant may wither, and you will need to revive it; this is how you do it;
Reviving An Air Plant
If your plant looks a bit limp or brown, it could mean that it is dehydrated. Other issues could cause this, but they are all relatively easy to fix. Here are some common steps you should take to help revive your air plant.
1. Soak the plant overnight
Prepare a water plant bath the same way you would do to water it. Put the sick plant in the bath overnight.
In the morning, get it out of the water, shake it off gently, and put it back in its place. Soaking will help replenish the lost moisture to get the optimum plant conditions for a comeback.
2. Remove any dead leaves from the plant
You can identify the dead leaves by tugging them gently to see if they come off. If they get dislodged easily, then they are dead. Please remove all of them to allow for healthy new leaves to grow.
If only a few leaves are dead and the inside of the plant is green and healthy, it will make it. If there are many dead leaves, then it would need more care and time.
3. Use pure water
This is the step to take when the plant is turning brown. You should use rainwater or water that does have chlorine in it.
Chlorine might poison the plant, so you have to avoid it. For brown leaves, give the plant an overnight soak and ensure you bath them more often.
4. Don’t let it sit in standing water for too long
You might notice that your plant is green, but it still falls apart. The falling apart is because it has been sitting in standing water for a long time.
Another reason is that you did not shake it off well after the bath. To prevent this, ensure that you shake it off and keep the plant out of stagnant water.
5. Provide it with the perfect growing conditions
Place the air plant in a position that exposes it to bright, filtered, or indirect sunlight. This will allow for enough photosynthesis for redevelopment.
Ensure there is good air circulation around the plant. Remember, this plant draws nutrients from the air, so a poorly aerated plant will not get better.
How Do I Know My Air Plant Is Sick?
Some signs will indicate your plant is sick and needs special attention. Being able to see these signs early will allow you to help the plant get better.
How Long Should I Soak My Air Plant?
Watering is the most vital part of taking care of an air plant. You could soak the plant as a means of watering or helping revive a dying plant.
For a dying plant, soak it overnight to give it time to absorb enough water. Submerge the entire plant into the water, not just the roots. Soaking should last between 7 and 10 hours, depending on the plant’s condition.
As a watering means, the plant should be soaked in water for between 20 minutes and an hour every week. If the plant has a bloom, then you should leave it above the water.
Ensure you shake off any excess water after soaking the plant. Too much water could cause the plant to fall apart.
Make sure that the water is at room temperature or lukewarm in winter. This will ensure you don’t shock the plant since the shock could kill it.
Why Are My Air Plants Turning Black Or Brown?
Most people are misled into thinking that air plants only need air to survive. This has caused poor care of the plants. You will notice black or brown leaves.
The base of the plant will turn black or brown if it is overwatered. The leaves will also fall apart at the center of the plant. This will be due to the flooding of water in the plant.
You can fix it by reducing the amount of water you give to your plant. On the other hand, if the leaves start to turn brown, they do not have enough water.
You should soak them for a longer time to give them enough water. Leaves could also fade due to an insufficient supply of sunlight. Place your plant next to a window or a source of sunlight.
What Does A Healthy Air Plant Look Like?
You can quickly look at a plant and tell if it’s healthy. A healthy air plant will have sturdy, healthy green or gray leaves. This will be evident in a plant that receives enough moisture and sunlight.
The leaves of a well-hydrated air plant will be flat and wide. Ones with visible trichomes will appear healthier. A healthy plant will look vibrant, and it will be full of color.
The plants will be held together, and the leaves won’t be falling apart. There will be no brown tips or drooping leaves.
Conclusion
Caring for an air plant is easy. They do not need so much attention, but they might at times get sickly and limp. If you notice signs of the plant dying at an early stage, then you can revive it.
Soak the plant in pure water, shake it off, and provide it with the necessary conditions to grow. If there are any dead leaves, it would be best to remove them. Watering is the most crucial part of caring for an air plant.
If you see brown spots on the base of the plant, it could be due to overwatering. If the plants are crispy and brown, it could be due to under-watering.
