More die from being left wet than dry: water generously but let them dry within four hours.
Care
Bright filtered light; grey, fuzzy-leaved types take more light than smooth green ones.
Soak air plants in rainwater for 20-30 minutes once a week, then shake and dry upside down within a few hours; mist between soaks in dry rooms.
Air plants need none — mount or place them. The pink quill grows in a small pot of bark compost.
Pull away dry lower leaves; cut off spent flower spikes.
Bromeliad or orchid feed at quarter strength in the soaking water once a month in spring and summer.
Separate pups when they are a third to half the size of the parent. Flowering timing varies by species, and each rosette flowers once.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- JuneSoak weekly and let them dry fully afterwards.
- AugustAdd a weak feed to the soaking water once a month.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- JuneSoak weekly and let them dry fully afterwards.
- AugustAdd a weak feed to the soaking water once a month.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JuneSoak weekly and let them dry fully afterwards.
- AugustAdd a weak feed to the soaking water once a month.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JuneSoak weekly and let them dry fully afterwards.
- AugustAdd a weak feed to the soaking water once a month.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Centre goes black and leaves fall out.
What to do. Stayed wet too long after soaking — always dry upside down.
How to spot it. Leaves roll inward.
What to do. Underwatered; soak longer.
How to spot it. Plants rot or fade.
What to do. They need air movement; use an open container.
Questions
Air plant: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Air plants grow unpotted; the pink quill in a small pot.
Air plant: when do you prune it?
Pull away dry lower leaves; cut off spent flower spikes.
When do you feed it?
Bromeliad or orchid feed at quarter strength in the soaking water once a month in spring and summer. Feeding months, UK: April–September.