Why is my air plant turning purple?

If this is the case, you will notice a purple, or black color at the base of the plant indicating that rot has set in. The bad news is that rot is fatal. The upside is that rot is 100% preventable. Here’s how: After soaking in water, set the plant on its side or up-side-down for about 4 hours while the air plant dries.

How do air plants change color?

Plants like Tillandsia brachycaulos and Tillandsia bradeana are known to change color when exposed to sunlight. So, air plant red tips are common if they receive enough sunlight. This being said it is necessary to check for over exposure as that can cause the plant to turn brown.

How do I know if my air plant is dying?

Because you’ll see that that base has a black color it’s rotted the leaves are brown for a dingy

What does an unhealthy air plant look like?

Signs of sunburn include brown spots, dried out patches appearing on inside growth, and very unhealthy splotchy appearance of outside leaves. Signs of not enough sun are harder to see, but could include falling leaves, and leaves cupping inward.

How do I make my air plant red?

Exposure to sunlight can turn some Tillandsia species red

Specific varieties of air plants like the Tillandsia brachycaulos and Tillandsia bradeana are known to turn a shade of red when exposed to bright light.

How do I know if my air plant is healthy?

Tip: Watch your plants’ leaves for clues on whether they are thirsty or not. Curly leaves are drier and a healthy white fuzz actually means your plant is healthy, not necessarily drying out. Brown leaf tips and a general shriveled appearance are other clues you are under-watering.

How much sunlight do air plants need?

ost air plants do not do well with direct or full sun. Because they require indirect light, air plants make great office plants as long as they get some light, either indirectly from a window source, or artificially from full spectrum fluorescent lights.

Can you bring an air plant back to life?

You can revive a dry air plant by soaking it in water for 5-8 hours. Shake off any extra water after the soak and let your air plant dry within 4 hours of watering. Repeat the long soaking every 2-3 days until the plant does not look dry anymore. … Air plants prefer warm temperature around 50 – 90 F.

How long should I soak my air plant?

Soak your air plants in a bowl of water for 20 minutes to an hour every week to 10 days is best. Submerge the entire plant. If your plant has a bloom, you may wish to keep the bud above the water to not disturb it, although in nature they get wet all the time.


What happens if you overwater an air plant?

Overwatering air plants is bad news. It is the most common reason why they die. So if you see that their bases start to turn dark then the leaves fall out from the middle or if they have mushy roots, and yellowing leaves, it is necessary to take immediate actions to prevent any permanent damage that may occur.

Can you soak an air plant too long?

If the flower is wet for a prolonged period of time, it can cause rot, which in turn could cause rot to take over the leaves and kill the plant. Remember, it is better to underwater slightly rather than overwater your air plants.

Why is my air plant losing color?

Too little light. Most air plants that lack light don’t show symptoms right away, but if you see that their leaves start to lose its color or it begins to cup inward and fall, it is an indication that they are not getting enough sunlight for them to remain healthy.

How long can air plants go without water?

How long can mesic air plants go without water? Mesic air plants can go around two weeks without water. Keeping in mind the plant can survive alive in most cases but not thriving.

Is rain water good for air plants?

In their natural habitat, air plants get their nutrients from rain water, bird droppings, and dying bugs. If you can collect rainwater, this would be the best option, or if you have access to pond, creek, lake, or well water. … You don’t want to use tap water or filtered water.

What kind of water do you use for air plants?

Air plants aren’t too picky when it comes to water, and most tap water is just fine, but it depends on the water quality in your area. The best water to use: rain water, aquarium water, or pond water because these are more rich in nutrients (note: if using one of these waters, don’t add any additional fertilizer).

Can air plants live in low light?

Add natural beauty to your home or office with air plants! These low light, indoor plants don’t need soil to grow, so they can flourish in many different environments. … The optimal way to water air plants is to soak them in water for 2 hours once per week.