Air plants, scientifically known as Tillandsia, are unique plants that flourish without the need for soil. These epiphytes absorb water and nutrients directly from the air through specialized cells on their leaves called trichomes. This allows them to be displayed in various indoor settings, with the shower emerging as a popular choice.
Why Place Air Plants in the Shower
The shower environment offers several advantages for air plants, primarily due to its high humidity levels, mimicking their natural tropical and subtropical habitats where they thrive in warm, humid conditions. The steam and spray generated during a shower closely mimic this natural habitat, providing a consistent source of moisture that air plants readily absorb through their leaves. This consistent moisture can reduce the need for frequent supplemental watering, making care more convenient, and helps maintain the plant’s hydration and overall health.
Selecting Air Plants and Assessing Your Shower Environment
Not all air plants are equally suited for the consistently humid shower environment; understanding their natural preferences is helpful. Air plants are broadly categorized into mesic and xeric types. Mesic varieties prefer higher humidity and more frequent watering, typically having greener, smoother leaves with fewer visible trichomes, similar to plants found in rainforest canopies. Examples well-suited for the shower include Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss), T. cyanea, T. capitata, T. ionantha, and T. bulbosa. In contrast, xeric air plants, often with fuzzy, silvery leaves, originate from drier, desert-like climates and require less frequent watering, making them less ideal for continuous shower humidity.
Assessing your specific shower conditions is important for success. Air plants need bright, indirect light; a shower with a window offering filtered natural light is ideal, as direct sunlight can scorch leaves. Adequate air circulation is also important to prevent water from sitting on the plant for too long, which can lead to rot; a bathroom with a ventilation fan is beneficial. Air plants generally prefer temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which aligns with typical indoor bathroom temperatures.
Practical Tips for Air Plant Care in the Shower
Secure mounting options are needed. As air plants do not require soil, they can be placed on various non-corrosive materials. Suction cups designed for humid environments can hold small planters or individual plants directly on shower tiles. Hanging planters made from materials like wire, macrame, or even repurposed items such as wooden mounts or glass globes can suspend plants from shower curtain rods or ceiling hooks, ensuring good air circulation. It is important to avoid materials that might corrode or degrade with constant moisture exposure.
While shower humidity provides moisture, supplemental watering might still be necessary depending on shower frequency and plant type. If showers are taken daily, the passive watering from steam and spray might be sufficient for mesic varieties. However, for less frequent shower users or during drier periods, misting two to three times a week or a weekly soak for 20-30 minutes in room-temperature water is beneficial. After any watering, proper drying is important to prevent rot. Gently shake the plants to remove excess water from their crevices and allow them to dry completely within four hours in a well-ventilated area, ideally upside down on a towel or drying rack to facilitate thorough drainage.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Rot is a common issue, often caused by insufficient drying or excessive watering. If the base of the plant becomes mushy, discolored, or leaves easily detach, rot is likely. To address this, ensure plants dry completely within four hours after getting wet, and improve air circulation around them. If rot is confined to outer leaves, they can be carefully removed, but extensive rot reaching the plant’s center is often irreversible.
A lack of growth or pale, fading coloration can indicate insufficient light or nutrients. Ensure plants receive bright, indirect light; if natural light is limited, consider supplemental artificial plant lighting. Occasional fertilization with a specialized air plant or bromeliad fertilizer, diluted and applied during watering, can provide necessary nutrients.
Leaf discoloration also signals distress. Brown tips or curling leaves often indicate dehydration, suggesting the plant needs more frequent or thorough watering. Conversely, black spots or a mushy texture can point to overwatering or poor air circulation, reinforcing the need for proper drying and ventilation. Adjusting the watering schedule and ensuring good airflow can resolve these issues.