Readers ask: How Often Does Tillandsia Flower?

Tillandsia flower at maturity and will only bloom once in their life. The mother plant will start producing baby plants (or pups) when they are nearing maturity. She will then die off, but each pup will grow into a mature plant and flower, although this could take years.

How many times does an air plant flower?

As mentioned earlier, air plants bloom only once in their lifetime. The inflorescence or the bloom can last from days to months. Some air plants produce only one flower while others might grow many flowers. Your air plant might bloom only once but it will be worth the wait and care.

Do air plants flower only once?

You may be surprised to learn that air plants only bloom once in their lifetime. Tillandsia produce different blooms depending on their species, many of them producing beautifully colored blossoms that come in a myriad of colors ranging from delicate pinks and fiery reds, to bright purples and yellows.

How do I get my air plants to flower?

Submerge entire plant in room temperature water for 5-10 minutes once or twice a week. Let plants drain upside-down on a towel after their bath for at least 3 hours so they are dry to the touch. Fertilize every 2 months with epiphytic/bromeliad/non-urea nitrogen fertilizer for better blooms and daughter growth (pups).

How often do air plants reproduce?

8. An air plant may flower—but only once in its lifetime.

What to do with Tillandsia after flowering?

The best thing that you can do after an air plant blooms, is to continue watering it and giving it adequate sunlight. Now is also a good time to fertilize as this can help with pup growth. Soon you might notice tiny “pups” under the leaves of the mother plant.

Do air plants produce pups?

Once an air plant has gone through the bloom cycle, it will produce offsets, or “pups” with the proper conditions. On average, air plants will create 1 to 3 pups after the blooming process. Some varieties can product many, many more.

What is the lifespan of an air plant?

Tillandsias, commonly known as air plants, are perennial plants. This means that they typically live for more than two years (source), with their lifespan ranging between 2 to 5 years. However, their lifespan varies depending on the type of air plant and also the growing conditions.

How long does it take for air plants to grow pups?

Pup production ensues shortly after an air plant’s first bloom cycle. Depending on the species, an air plant can take 6 months to several years to produce its first bloom. Most of the plants offered in our store will arrive matured, and should bloom within 6 months of you receiving them.

How fast does Tillandsia Xerographica grow?

Propagate tillandsia xerographica with seed or pups. Obtain the seeds after the flowers die and begin to dry out. Keep in mind it may take about eight years for the seedling to become a full-grown plant. The king of air plants begins producing a pup about six months to two years after its first bloom.

What is Airplant food?

Low-nitrogen fertilizers are best for air plants because it helps encourage blooming and offset production in Tillandsia. It’s also very important to use a non-urea-based nitrogen fertilizer, as this will provide nitrogen that is usable for Tillandsia.

Why do air plants turn red?

If your Tillandsia stricta is turning red, a change in color means that the plant is maturing. Air plants turning red also indicate that you have cared for it well by providing an adequate amount of light water and air. A change in color is a sign that the plant is about to bloom.

Can you propagate Tillandsia?

You can propagate tillandsia from seed, but it takes two to four years to grow the plant to a suitable size for enjoyment. The best way to propagate tillandsia is through the division of the offsets, or pups. The time to do the task is during the morning hours or early afternoon.

Do you have to separate air plant pups?

You’ll need to separate the pups once they get to around a quarter size of their mother plant. After you’ve completed this process, you’re all set to kick-start your very own air plant farm!

How do you make Tillandsia grow faster?

If you want to give your plants an extra boost, you can fertilize them once a month in addition to regular waterings, which will encourage faster growth, blooming, and pup formation. Take a look at and purchase our specially formulated Tillandsia fertilizer to promote your air plant’s growth!