How to Water Air Plants

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Soaking Loose Air Plants

Choose a container or receptacle that can easily accommodate all of your air plants. Add room-temperature bottled or filtered tap water to the container. Make sure you use enough water to fully submerge each clump.^{[1] X Expert Source Harmony Corelitz
Plant Specialist Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}

Always clean out the container before using it to water your air plants.

Avoid using distilled water for this since the distillation process removes crucial nutrients.^{[2] X Research source}

Air plants don’t grow in pots or soil, so you can easily gather the small, loose clumps with your hands. Place each clump in the water bath and push it under the surface. You can soak multiple air plants simultaneously.^{[3] X Research source}
If your air plant is mounted to a surface, like a heavy shell or piece of driftwood, you'll probably need to mist it instead of submerging it.

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The air plants may float up to the surface as they soak, which is fine—just make sure the majority of each clump stays submerged for the full 15 minutes. Then, grab each clump, remove it from the bath, and shake it off to get rid of excess water.^{[4] X Expert Source Harmony Corelitz
Plant Specialist Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}

Excess water tends to collect between the center leaves if you don’t give them a gentle shake first, which can eventually lead to rot and other issues.

If your air plants are particularly dry, leave them in the water for up to 1 hour.^{[5] X Research source}

Air-drying typically takes about 30 minutes, but large or intricate clumps can take longer. You can touch the center leaves with your fingertips to check for moisture. Return the plants to their original locations once they’re totally dry.^{[6] X Expert Source Harmony Corelitz
Plant Specialist Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}
Always place clumps upside down to air-dry so excess moisture can drain away.

If the leaves look pale-green and feel soft, water the plant more often. Curled or rolled leaves also indicate dehydration.^{[7] X Research source}
During the winter months, you can reduce watering to every 2 weeks.^{[8] X Research source}

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Misting Mounted Air Plants

Use room-temperature water for the best results. Be sure to avoid using distilled water, which doesn’t contain the necessary nutrients your air plants need to thrive.^{[9] X Research source}

Misting delivers enough water to your air plant as long as you’re generous and thorough. Saturate the plant until water is running off the leaves.^{[10] X Research source}
Mounted air plants often need to be misted because the object they're attached to can’t be submerged in water. If the object is porous, bulky, or heavy, it's better to mist the plants.

Since they’re tropical or subtropical in nature, air plants will not last long without steady moisture.^{[11] X Research source} Thoroughly mist them at least once a week.

Air plants can dry out more easily if you’re unable to submerge them in water. To prevent dehydration, watch for leaves that feel soft or look pale green. Leaves may also curl or roll up when they are dehydrated.^{[12] X Research source}

Extremely dehydrated leaves may turn brown and brittle at the tips.^{[13] X Research source}

A hydrated air plant will look lush with darker green leaves.

Unevaporated moisture can cause air plants to rot. Keeping mounted air plants in an area that gets plenty of air circulation so the leaves can dry completely after each misting session.^{[14] X Research source}

For example, a spacious, uncluttered room that gets plenty of light is a great place for your air plants.

Make sure the surface your air plant is mounted on does not hold or absorb water. For example, cork would not be a good surface because it soaks up water like a sponge.

Remember, your air plants need plenty of bright light, so keep that in mind when you're deciding where to put them. If they're indoors, keep them within 3–7 ft (0.91–2.13 m) of a window.^{[15] X Expert Source Harmony Corelitz
Plant Specialist Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}

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