Ask Madi!

Q: How do I fertilize my air plants?

A: Air plants are a little different from your typical houseplants because they don’t grow in soil. Instead, they absorb most of their water and nutrients directly through their leaves using tiny structures called trichomes. That means when it comes to fertilizing, you’re feeding the leaves not roots in soil. Fertilizing helps air plants stay healthy and encourages stronger growth and blooming. While they can survive without fertilizer, they definitely appreciate the extra nutrients, especially during their growing season. If you want to get specific, you can use a specialized air plant fertilizer made just for Tillandsias. But a balanced fertilizer like our 20-20-20 also works great when diluted properly and used as a foliage feed. Simply add it to the water you soak or mist with occasionally, and the plant will absorb the nutrients through its leaves. Just remember less is more! A light feeding every few weeks is plenty to keep your air plants happy and thriving.