How to Water Air Plants

Keep your air plants happy and hydrated with these three methods.

Cori Sears

Published on 12/13/21

Reviewed by

Barbara Gillette

Close up image of a small air plant in a terracotta pot being sprayed with a mister. — The Spruce / Cori Sears

Project Overview

Working Time: 10 - 15 mins
Total Time: 35 - 55 mins

Skill Level: Beginner

Air plants are truly unique within the plant world—absorbing moisture and nutrients through their leaves rather than their roots. They grow happily without soil although contrary to what their common name may lead you to believe, they do require more than just air in order to survive. This often leads to confusion about how to properly water these tropical plants—and with lots of conflicting information out there regarding the best way to water air plants, it can be tricky to figure out where to start. Don’t worry, we’re here to set the record straight so you can keep your air plants happy and hydrated indoors.

There are three ways to water air plants: soaking, misting, and dunking. Most air plants can be watered by soaking, while certain species prefer the misting or dunking method. Figuring out the variety of air plant that you have will help you make the correct decision when it comes to watering.

When to Water Air Plants

Water your air plants in the morning to ensure that they have enough time to dry during the day. How often you should water your air plants will vary slightly depending on their growing environment as well as the type of air plant that you have. If the plants are growing in a location that is consistently humid, they may need to be watered less often than if they are growing in dry conditions.

However, as a general rule, most air plants will need to be watered once every 1 to 2 weeks when they are grown in typical household conditions. Make sure that you read up on the type of air plant that you have as well to confirm how often it should be watered.

Growing Air Plants or Tillandsia

Overhead shot of everything required to properly water air plants. — The Spruce / Cori Sears

Equipment / Tools

Spray bottle or mister
Bowl, cup, or vase
Towel

Materials

Filtered or distilled water

How to Water Air Plants by Soaking

Most air plant varieties can be successfully watered using this method.

Prepare a Vessel

Fill a small bowl, cup, or vase with lukewarm filtered or distilled water.
Submerge the Plant

Place your air plant in the water, ensuring that the majority of the leaves are submerged, and leave the plant to soak for 20 to 40 minutes.

The Spruce / Cori Sears
Shake and Air Dry

Once the plant is done soaking, remove it from the water and shake the excess water from the leaves. Then, place the plant upside down on a towel for 10 to 15 minutes so it can drip-dry before returning it to its regular growing location. This will help to prevent any remaining water from sitting on the leaves and causing rot.

The Spruce / Cori Sears

How to Water Air Plants by Misting

Certain air plants such as the Tillandsia tectorum should be watered by misting rather than soaking or dunking due to its extra fuzzy trichomes. Other fuzzy varieties of air plants can be watered using this method as well.

Prepare the Water and Plant

Fill a spray bottle or mister with lukewarm filtered or distilled water. If your air plant is growing in a glass terrarium or enclosed space, remove the plant before watering. You don’t want excess moisture getting trapped in the terrarium which could lead to stem rot.
Mist Thoroughly

Mist your air plant thoroughly until the leaves are moist but not dripping. Let it dry before returning it to its original location.

The Spruce / Cori Sears

How to Water Air Plants By Dunking

Air plants with curled leaves such as the Tillandsia xerographica prefer to be watered with a quick dunk rather than a long soak. This particular Tillandsia variety also does not need to be watered as often as some of its smaller relatives. Once every 2 to 3 weeks at the most should be sufficient.

Prepare the Water

Fill a bowl, cup, or vase with lukewarm filtered or distilled water.
Dunk Quickly

Dunk the plant in the water, ensuring that the whole plant is submerged, and then remove it from the water right away.

The Spruce / Cori Sears
Shake and Dry Upside-Down

Shake any excess water from the leaves of the plant and set it upside down on a towel to dry for 10 to 15 minutes before returning it to its original location.

Signs That Your Air Plant is Overwatered

Since it is not always easy to tell when air plants need to be watered, overwatering is one of the most common causes of indoor air plant deaths. If you notice your air plant rapidly losing leaves, or the base of your air plant turning brown and mushy, it is likely that you have overwatered your plant. Unfortunately, once the damage has been done there is not much you can do to save an overwatered air plant. Setting the plant aside for several weeks and avoiding any further watering is your best bet for reviving a soggy air plant.