How to Water Your Air Plants the Right Way—and the Biggest Mistakes to Avoid

Air plants may look like a low-maintenance houseplant, but they require a specific care routine to thrive in their environment. Unlike other common houseplants you might have in your home, air plants don't grow in soil, which makes their watering and lighting needs different from those of other plants. To help you grow thriving air plants, we spoke with Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, houseplant expert and founder of The Houseplant Guru, who shares exactly how she waters her air plants, how often to do it, and the common mistakes that can lead to rot or dehydration.

The Best Method for Watering an Air Plant

The best way to water air plants is to soak them. Start by soaking your plant in a bowl of water for 15 to 30 minutes, Steinkopf says. You can skip misting, since light sprays do not provide enough hydration to fully saturate this type of plant.

After soaking, shake the plant to remove excess water, then turn it upside down on a towel. Let it drain and dry completely before placing it back in its pot or glass globe.

How Often to Water an Air Plant

It's best to get into a routine of watering your air plant every one to one-and-a-half weeks. However, the exact frequency depends on your indoor climate conditions. If your home tends to be dry, you may need to soak them more often, Steinkopf says.

"I soak mine approximately once a week, shake them out to get any excess water removed, and then turn them upside down on a towel to let them drain completely and dry," she says. "My plants are also in the kitchen and the bathroom, where the humidity is higher, so I can go longer between soakings."

You can also use your plant's appearance as a guide for adjusting its care. Pay attention to color and texture. If the plant appears silvery, it needs less water and brighter light, Steinkopf notes.

If the plant looks green or glossy, it needs more water and can tolerate less light. These varieties have fewer trichomes—which are the part of the plant that stores water—so they don't retain as much moisture, Steinkopf explains.

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Common Watering Mistakes to Avoid

To properly water and care for an air plant, avoid several common mistakes so you can enjoy the beauty they bring to your home.

• Lack of light: If air plants aren’t placed in the right lighting and are watered too often, they can begin to rot, Steinkopf says. "They need enough light to use the water they have stored in their trichomes," she adds. Without enough light, the moisture sits on the plant instead of being properly absorbed, which leads to decay.
• Misting instead of soaking: Lightly misting works for other plants, but not air plants. Only misting instead of soaking doesn't provide enough water to keep them hydrated, which can cause them to dry out and die.
• Overwatering: Like many plants, overwatering can do more harm than good. If you water air plants too often, the leaves will start to turn dark—and eventually the plant will fall apart, Steinkopf explains.
• Not enough water: If air plants are too dry, they will show signs of dehydration, such as brown, crispy, or curled leaves. If they remain dry for too long, they can completely dry out and die, Steinkopf says.