After the first few years they start to get growing a little faster as they get larger sized. While seed grown plants do grow much slower, they tend to be bigger and better specimens than plants grown as offset. It can take years for a small air plant to grow and eventually bloom, so patience is key!

Role of air temperature. Plant respiration occurs 24 hours per day, but night respiration is more evident since the photosynthesis process ceases. During the night, it is very important that the temperature is cooler than during the day because plants can experience stress. Imagine a runner in a marathon.

Photosynthesis doesn’t occur at night. When there is no photosynthesis, there is a net release of carbon dioxide and a net uptake of oxygen. If there is enough light during the day, then: the rate of photosynthesis is higher than the rate of respiration.

Soak your air plants in a bowl of water for 20 minutes to an hour every week to 10 days is best.

For those air plants with visible trichomes (those fuzzy white things on the outside of their leaves) they should appear “extra fuzzy.” When an air plant wants water, the leaves will start to form a “U” shape. Over time, the tips may brown, the leaves may grow thinner, and/or the leaves may curl up on themselves.

Air plants do best with at least a few hours of bright, indirect sun daily. Placement within 1 to 3 feet of an east- or west-facing window, or within a foot or two of an artificial light source is ideal. If you keep them well watered, they can have hotter, more direct sun and longer exposure.

> You don’t need soil for your air plants to thrive, so no need to include it here. In fact the majority of air plants should NOT be planted in soil. You can easily layer moss, sand, or rock to create variation and texture in your terrarium.