fertilizer burn on Air Plant
Quick answer
If your Air Plant has fertilizer burn, the most likely cause is: Standard houseplant fertilizers are often too strong for the delicate trichome structures of air plants. Excess salts and urea can cause brown, crispy leaf tips and permanent trichome damage.
Start here:
- 1. Use a bromeliad-specific fertilizer or a balanced water-soluble fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength
- 2. Fertilize only once a month during the growing season (spring/summer)
Why Air Plant gets fertilizer burn
Tillandsia spp.
Standard houseplant fertilizers are often too strong for the delicate trichome structures of air plants. Excess salts and urea can cause brown, crispy leaf tips and permanent trichome damage.
How to reverse fertilizer burn on Air Plant
- 1
Use a bromeliad-specific fertilizer or a balanced water-soluble fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength
- 2
Fertilize only once a month during the growing season (spring/summer)
- 3
Always follow a fertilizer soak with a plain water rinse to remove surface salts
Keep fertilizer burn off this Air Plant
If in doubt, under-fertilize. Air plants are extremely efficient at capturing nutrients from dust and air and do not require heavy feeding.