Tillandsia ionantha
Quick answer
Yellow leaves on your air plant have a few possible causes, and on this plant the likeliest is rot from a soggy center.
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How to tell
The base of the plant stays wet, feels mushy, or smells sour after soaking. Air plant has no soil to hide a problem in, so a rotting crown shows up fast.
The fix
Always shake excess water out of the center after a soak and let it dry upside-down for an hour. Standing water in the cup is what actually rots it, not the watering itself.
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How to tell
The leaves feel papery and curl inward because it hasn’t had a proper soak recently.
The fix
Soak it fully in room-temperature water for 20-30 minutes once a week (more in a dry, heated home), then shake it dry.
How to tell
The yellowing comes with pale, stretched new growth leaning toward the nearest window. That combination shows that the spot is too dim for an air plant.
The fix
Move it to a brighter spot, but keep it out of harsh midday sun, which scorches.
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