Air plant care guideTillandsia ionantha

Soilless; mounted on driftwood. Ranked #68 of Europe's most-searched houseplants.

Air plant (Tillandsia ionantha) — a healthy specimen photographed indoors
Scientific name
Tillandsia ionantha
Origin
Central America
Difficulty
Easy
Light
Bright / direct light
Watering (summer)
every 5 to 7 days
Watering (winter)
every 10 to 14 days
Humidity
50-60%
Pet safety
Pet-safe (non-toxic)
IKEA SKU
40598238

WateringWhen and how much water

Water Air plant when the top 2 cm of soil feel dry. In summer that's typically every 5 to 7 days; in winter slow down to every 10 to 14 days. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.

The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can't see: the actual light at the plant, the pot's size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly's app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.

LightHow bright a spot it needs

Air plant is bright / direct light: needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.

Pet safetySafe with cats and dogs

Pet-safe. Air plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe to keep in a home with pets.

Get the personalised schedule

Botanicaly tunes water, light, and care reminders for Air plant based on your home's actual conditions. Free on iOS and Android.

Download Botanicaly

FAQCommon questions

How often should I water a Air plant?

Water your Air plant (Tillandsia ionantha) when the top 2 cm of soil feel dry. In summer, that's typically every 5 to 7 days; in winter, slow down to every 10 to 14 days. Botanicaly's app tunes this further based on your home's actual light, pot size, and local weather.

How much light does a Air plant need?

Air plant is bright / direct light: needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.

Is Air plant safe for cats and dogs?

Air plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe to keep in a home with pets.

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