Let me give you the answer first: As a general rule, you need to water airplants once every week or after ten days.
This is the most frequent question every air plant lover gets, as there is not just one way of taking care of them. Also, watering them depends on the specific plant and the temperature and humidity conditions of the city you live in.
Longer soaking in water is appropriate after every few weeks. If the climate is hot and dry, frequent watering is necessary for the air plants.
Spraying
When spraying your air plants, make sure they get wet fully and the water runs off. It is like simulating rain to make sure the air plant gets enough hydration. This is the process that most growers and collectors with large amounts of plant use. There is the risk of rot/fungus if water is not shaken properly.
Soaking
Soaking is the easiest way if your plants are not hanging in air. Although this method is not advisable for some air plants such as the xerographica, as is recommended the dunking method to the soaking method because they don’t need as much water as other air plants. Leave the plants to soak in a bowl of water for at least 15-20 minutes but not for hours. This method is advised especially when plants are slightly dehydrated because will help plants to perk back up and gain some hydration back. The soaking method is recommended for green-type air plants and is not recommended for plants with greyish leaves.
For most environments and most plants, we recommend starting out with once or twice a week soaks for 10 minutes and checking how the plants respond to the amount of water they get. Observation is key, for instance, if the leaves get dry tips, wrinkle or get more curly, means they need more water.
When is the best moment to water airplants?
- Let the water sit for at least one hour to help the chlorine evaporate. This rule goes with any plant, not just air plants.
- It´s better to water them in the morning or earlier in the day, Tillandsia use a process called CAM to respire at night, and being dry will allow this process to happen easier.
- Change watering, during winter they require less and reasonably more water during summer, especially if they are exposed to the sun even for some hours.
- Always make them dance! Shaking out excess water is very important, especially for species like Xerographica, which requires less water than other species. Learn how to water them depending on Tillandsias species here.