Whether you are a seasoned air plant collector or a beginner, there is going to come a time when one of your precious air plants gets sick, despite your best intentions and care. So what do you do? Just call it a loss and get a new plant? Well, before you do that, you can try to revive it.
Give It A Good Soak: If your air plant is a tad bit neglected and looking dry, limp, or is losing its green color, it could be thirsty. First, take a look at your plant. If it is still primarily green with some browning or the leaves are rolled inward then first try soaking the plant for a few hours or even overnight. Use quality water like filtered, spring, or clean well water. Aquarium or pond water works well too as the plants will like the added nutrients. It is best to avoid artificially softened water or tap water that is high in chlorine/chloramine. If you do use tap water, allow it to sit out for a few hours to allow the chemicals to dissipate before soaking your air plants.
After its long soak, shake out any excess water from amongst the plants leaves, and allow it to dry upside down on a towel or rack in a well-ventilated area for at least 4 hours to ensure that the plant is completely dry before putting it back in place.
After a couple of days if you notice that your air plant still has curling leaves or looks a little limp you can give it another soak, this time for a few hours. This should help perk up your plant. If its base is mushy or doesnt seem to be reviving, the tilly might be dead after all. A good way to detect a dead plant is to hold the base and gently wiggle the center leaves. If these leaves easily pull out (they’ll often be black on the bottoms), or the plant falls apart then it has already died. In this case, check out our Beginner’s Choice Collection and try again!
Check For Rot: Your sick air plant might also have a few brown or dead leaves. It is ok to gently remove these dead leaves, but be careful not to remove too many. Use our “Pruning Your Air Plants” guide to safely tend to your Tillandsia. If your plant falls apart when trimming or pruning, it is probably already dead and past the point of saving. Root rot is commonly the culprit in this scenario which can occur from overwatering, not drying properly, or inadequate light or air circulation. Learn more about rot and how to prevent it in our blog post “Whats Wrong With My Air Plant: Rot”.
Keep Fungus At Bay: If you notice white patches or brown leaf spots, your plant could be suffering from over or under-watering or, in some cases, a fungal issue. If your air plant has developed fungus, be sure to isolate the air plant to prevent the spread to other plants and try treating it with a natural fungicide.
Applying a bit of cinnamon or neam oil to the affected areas has been known to help reduce or stop fungal growth. Remember, air plants will naturally have white and fuzzy trichomes on their leaves so don’t confuse these with mold or fungus!
Battle Pests: While rare when kept indoors, air plants can sometimes be susceptible to pests, mainly mealy bugs and scale. An air plant infested with mealy bugs will have a waxy cotton-like substance on its leaves while scale insects insects usually attach to the bottoms of leaves, and can be characterized by tiny shell-like bumps. If your Tillandsia is infested with pests, first isolate it from other plants and bathe the air plant by submerging it completely in a solution of water and a few drops of insecticidal soap or neem oil. Use a soft cloth or cotton swab to gently remove any remaining visible pests or eggs from the plants leaves and base and then rinse the plant thoroughly with clean water to remove all insecticidal residue. Be sure to provide the plant with excellent airflow, bright indirect light, and proper watering during recovery. Over the next few weeks, monitor closely and repeat treatments if you continue to see signs of pests.
Air plants, also known as tillandsia, are unique tropical epiphytes that don’t need soil to grow. Their minimal care needs make them popular indoor plants. But sometimes even the easiest houseplants can get neglected and dry out. Don’t give up on your parched air plant just yet! With the right techniques, you can often revive a dried out tillandsia. Here is a complete step-by-step guide to rehydrate, troubleshoot, and nurse your air plant back to health.
Assess the Damage
First, take a close look at your plant to evaluate its condition Are the leaves dried out and rolled inwards? Do they lack their usual plumpness and appear thin or deflated? These are signs your air plant desperately needs water If the base has shriveled or the center leaves pull out easily, rot may have set in from severe dehydration. But don’t throw it out until you try reviving it! Even badly dried plants can recover with proper care.
The Rehydration Process
Soaking is the first step in reviving a parched air plant Submerge the entire plant in room temperature filtered or rain water Let it soak for 2-3 hours to fully rehydrate. Using tap water is okay but allow it to sit out overnight first so the chlorine and fluoride can dissipate. If the plant is very dried out, you can soak it for up to 8 hours, changing the water halfway through. Just don’t leave it soaking for more than 8 hours or it may start to rot.
After soaking, gently shake off excess droplets and place the plant upside down on a towel. Let it air dry for at least 4-6 hours before returning it to its display spot. Proper drying prevents bacterial or fungal growth. Repeat the soaking process every 2-3 days until your air plant perks up. Misting the leaves between waterings will provide a humidity boost.
Getting the Conditions Right
Once reconstituted, it’s vital to promote recovery by optimizing growing conditions. Air plants prefer bright filtered light. An east or south-facing window is ideal. Avoid direct sun which can scorch the stressed plant. Daytime temperatures of 65-80°F suit most tillandsia species. Cooler at night is fine. High humidity between 50-80% is also critical. Group plants together or use a pebble tray to raise ambient humidity.
Ensure the plant has good air circulation. Stagnant air encourages rot and disease. Gently blow on the plant daily or use a small fan to keep air moving. Airflow is especially important if high humidity is difficult to maintain indoors. Watch for signs of new growth like fresh roots or pups sprouting at the base. This shows your rehabilitation efforts are working!
Troubleshooting Problems
Sometimes an air plant won’t bounce back even after watering. Root or stem rot may have taken hold while it was dried out. Check for black, mushy areas at the base. Trim any dead roots or leaves with sterile scissors or pruning shears. Dust sulfur powder on the cuts to prevent infection. Reduce watering frequency to allow it to further dry out and stop the spread of rot.
If you notice any fuzz or white patches, fungus could be to blame. Dab on cinnamon powder or neem oil solution to inhibit further fungal growth. Isolate affected plants to keep the infection from spreading. With diligent care and optimal conditions, the plant should eventually outgrow the fungus.
Mealybugs or scale insects may also attack distressed plants. Treat with a mild insecticidal soap following label directions. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Repeat every 3-5 days until pests are gone. Keep a close watch to quickly spot and treat any recurring infestations.
Providing Aftercare
Once your air plant seems back to normal, continue giving it attentive care. Soak it whenever the leaves start to curl inward, typically every 1-2 weeks. Mist occasionally between waterings and fertilize monthly with a diluted orchid fertilizer. Ensure it receives adequate sunlight, warmth and humidity at all times.
Closely monitor the plant for signs of renewed drying or distress. At the first hint of any trouble, repeat the soaking and drying process. With extra TLC during this recovery period, your revived air plant can thrive once again! Proper care after rehabilitation is the key to a long and healthy life.
Don’t give up too soon on a dried out, neglected air plant. Even severely parched tillandsia often respond surprisingly well to water therapy and care. Follow these air plant revival techniques and be patient. There’s a good chance you’ll soon have a happy, healthy houseplant again. With a bit of time and effort, you can bring your air plant back from the brink.
Is My Air Plant Dead?
If the leaves of your tillandsia begin to dry out and have a more pronounced convex shape, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dead. It might just be a little dried out, in which case, you can perk up an under-watered air plant by increasing the frequency of watering and misting. You can even try bringing the plant into your bathroom and placing it on the counter while you take a shower, so all the steam from the hot water will help rehydrate the leaves.
It’s also important to make sure the plant is receiving enough light. Generally, bright indirect light is best, so placing your tillandsia near a South or East-facing window will provide it with the right amount of sun. The higher the humidity in your home, the more sunlight tillandsia can handle, so if your home is a bit on the dry side, don’t put your plant right on the windowsill, or it might end up getting fried. Be careful with plants in glass terrariums, too, because the glass can act as a magnifying glass if it’s in a bright sunbeam, and could end up scorching your plant.
Now, eventually, your tillandsia will reach the end of its life cycle and will die. This typically occurs after it flowers, which only happens once in its cycle. However, before it bites the dust, it will produce a few “pups” that can be plucked off and grown into full new plants! Just continue with your regular watering routine, and wait for the pups to get at least ⅓ the size of the mother plant before separating them. They’re still soaking in nutrients from the mother plant while they’re attached, so you may as well wait it out a bit so they can get as much nutrition as they can.
Signs of an Overwatered Air Plant
Unfortunately, an overwatered air plant is a lot harder to rescue than a dry plant, so if you spot any signs of rotting, stop watering immediately until it clears up. If the center leaves are falling out, or the base of the plant begins to turn black or brown, this is a sign that it’s beginning to rot from too much water. Remove any damaged or diseased parts with sanitized shears, put the plant in a sunny spot in the room, and hope for the best! If it looks like it’s making a recovery, resume watering after two weeks, and be sure to shake off all the excess droplets thoroughly!
Want to try growing your own tillandsia plants at home? There are so many creative ways to display them and so many interesting varieties to add color and texture to your bookshelves, desks, windowsills, or anywhere else in your home that could use a little extra greenery. Visit your local SummerWinds Nursery to see our full collection, and maybe pick up a cool glass terrarium or hanging planter while you’re at it!
Determining if an Air Plant is Dead | Tillandsia Care Tips by Air Plant Shop
FAQ
Can a dried air plant be revived?
It might just be a little dried out, in which case, you can perk up an under-watered air plant by increasing the frequency of watering and misting.
How do you fix a dry air plant?
To do this, soak your air plants in a bowl of room temperature water for one to two hours. After soaking, gently shake off the excess water. Then, place the plants on a towel in a bright space. Place the root side up so that it can adequately dry within a couple of hours, thus preventing rot.
Can dried out plants be revived?
Rehydrate the Soil
Gradually infuse moisture into the soil, allowing it to permeate and revitalize the root system. Thorough saturation is the goal, evidenced by water gently seeping from the pot’s drainage holes.
How do you save a crispy air plant?
- Removing Dead Leaves and Roots. Carefully examine your air plant and look for dead or dying leaves and roots. …
- Rehydration Process – skip this step if you have overwatered your plant. …
- Provide Adequate Light and Air Circulation. …
- Reintroducing Nutrients. …
- Preventing Future Issues.
How do you revive a dried-out air plant?
The next step in reviving a dried-out air plant is to give it a good watering. Soak the air plant in a bowl or bucket of rainwater or pond water, which contains nutrients the plant needs without water treatment chemicals found in tap water.
How do you take out an air plant?
Leave it in the bath for an hour or so, then take it out. Give your air plant a few gentle shakes while upside down to make sure the water isn’t pooling in its leaves. Tip the air plant upside down or on its side to ensure it has fully dried out before placing it back in its container. Pooling water can rot your air plant, so don’t skip this step.
How do you revive air plants with brown leaves?
To revive air plants with brown leaf ends, I give them a good soak in lukewarm water to allow the leaves to absorb all the water they require, and I move my air plant to a cooler area protected from direct sunlight to allow the air plant to recover.
How do you know if an air plant is dry?
Brown tips: Leaf tips that are brittle, dry, and brown can be a sign of underwatering and/or low humidity. Curling leaves: A dried-out air plant’s leaves will curl to conserve moisture. Closed shape: Your air plant’s leaves may pull inward rather than staying wide open to slow transpiration and save water.
How do you revive an air plant?
There are several things you can do to revive a plant. Here are the steps I take to help my air plants regain their health. The first place I always start when I’m reviving an air plant is with watering.
Can You revive a rotting air plant?
In some cases, it is possible to revive a rotting air plant. Trim away the rotting areas with a pair of scissors or a knife. Then, let the plant dry for 7-10 days and follow my step-by-step guide above. Keep a close eye on the plant and be patient, the recovery process can be slow.