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The Global Insight

Can you use plant food on air plants?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on March 26, 2026

To fertilize air plants, use an air plant-specific fertilizer or a bromeliad fertilizer a few times a year. Another option is to use a regular, water soluble houseplant fertilizer at 1/4 of the recommended strength. Do this regardless of whether you water via misting or by soaking the plants in water.

Can you put Miracle Grow on air plants?

Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for bromeliads or air plants once a month, or dilute Miracle-Grow or similar water soluble plant foods to 1/4 strength. Add the fertilizer water to a spray bottle, and mist thoroughly with the food water once a month.

What kind of nutrients do air plants need?

Air plants are always craving essential minerals like Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous – much like other plants. Regular fertilizers have these minerals, just not in the ideal ratio for air plants.

How do air plants get nutrients from the air?

Air Plants are technically epiphytes, meaning that they grow in nature on another tree, host, or object. However, they do not steal nutrients from their host, only using it as a home to grow on. Air plants use tiny vessels located throughout their leaves called trichomes to capture nutrients and moisture from the air.

Do air plants get bigger?

After the first few years they start to get growing a little faster as they get larger sized. While seed grown plants do grow much slower, they tend to be bigger and better specimens than plants grown as offset. It can take years for a small air plant to grow and eventually bloom, so patience is key!

Is Epsom salt good for air plants?

Yes, there seem to be good, relevant reasons for using Epsom salts for plants. Epsom salt helps improve flower blooming and enhances a plant’s green color. It can even help plants grow bushier.

What is the best fertilizer for air plants?

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.

Is tap water bad for air plants?

Air plants are fine with tap water, but make sure that the quality of tap water in your area is good. In most areas, tap water lacks important minerals and has chemicals as well. It is best to use water from a well, pond, spring or lake. But, the best water to use would be rainwater.

Can you water air plants with tap water?

Air plants aren’t too picky when it comes to water, and most tap water is just fine, but it depends on the water quality in your area. The best water to use: rain water, aquarium water, or pond water because these are more rich in nutrients (note: if using one of these waters, don’t add any additional fertilizer).

Do air plants grow bigger?

How to fertilize air plants with air plant food?

Since most municipal tap and purified water lack the essential nutrients that are found in natural rainwater, air plant fertilizer provides the great way to add back the essential trace elements your air plants needs to grow. How to fertilize air plants with air plant food?

How often should you feed an air plant?

Plants get hungry, too For lush-looking plants that earn you bragging rights (such as being known as the “air plant whisperer, for example), feed your plants once a month by adding fertilizer to the water mix. Use a bromeliad mix (air plants are in the bromeliad family), and don’t overdo it—plants can burn from too much fertilizer.

How are air plants different from other plants?

Regular plant fertilizers have these in it but not in the right form or ratios. For most plants, the nitrogen component of fertilizer is broken down in soil in order for plants to consume it. Air plants do not live in soil so they must obtain nitrogen in a different way.

Can you use air plant food on Tillandsia?

Air plant food is fertilizer and does not replace regular waterings or proper air plant care. Using more than once a month can cause the pants to suffer nitrogen burn and they will not survive. Here are some tips on how to use fertilizer to help your Tillandsia thrive! Choose an air plant fertilizer like ours or similar.