Q. Can air plants have normal tap water?
A. Yes, air plants can have normal tap water. What air plants CAN’T have is distilled or soft water. If you have access to pond or rainwater, that will make your air plants extra happy. Air plants also prefer a pH between 5.5 and 6.0.
Want to learn more about watering air plants?
Q. I am gifting air plants for Christmas to a few friends that already seem to have everything. What’s the name of a few air plants that would make great gifts?
A. That depends. Junceas and large Caput-Meduseas look very nice in a tall cylindrical vase with decorative sand or pebbles in the bottom and a bow tied around the outside.
A couple of stand-alone plants are the peach Capitata and the Xerographica. Many times the peach Capitata will have a long-stem where you can tie a ribbon.
Tinted red Abditas look especially festive at Christmas time and would look beautiful in a holiday wreath.
Okay, one more favorite.
Spray paint a bell cup gold or silver and insert a caput-medusae or a red or green abdita.
Check out the post below for quick and easy air plant gift ideas, including the above bell cup gift idea.
Q. I got my first air plants this summer, so far all seems to be going well with them. Going into winter now I have less light in the window my plants sit in. So my question is, should I put my air plants under the grow lights with my succulents?
A. I think your air plants should be okay where they are. If you notice that the leaves become discolored that is a sign that they are not receiving enough light. Also, to avoid damage from the cold, be sure that your plants aren’t too close to your window. Still, if you want to move your air plants under lights it won’t hurt them–just be sure that the lights are turned off at night.
By “discolored” I mean faded and browning. Blushing pink, peach, or even bright red could be a sign that your air plant is about to bloom or it could also mean that it is getting direct sun.
More information about air plants and light:
