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Air Plants vs Succulents Care Tips

If you are weighing the differences between Air Plants vs Succulents, this is the plant care guide for you.

I have always loved plants and in the past few years, I started to add more variety to my plant collection.

I added a few succulents, some air plants, and cactus which seem to do really well in my home.

air plants vs succulents

How to Care for Air Plants & Succulents

While I was not very familiar with these plants before receiving them, I have done a lot of research to ensure that I am taking the best care of them that I can.

I have had Succulents in the past but Air Plants were new to me and without step by step instructions, I felt in over my head at first. 

Thankfully, the internet is full of lots of useful information and I was able to gather what I learned to share with you.

I have also done a little trial and error on my own with the Air Plants and Succulents that currently reside in my home.

I hope these tips help you care for your Succulents and Air Plants

Air Plants VS Succulents

Air plants (Tillandsia) and succulents are both popular types of indoor plants.

However, they differ in several ways, including their appearance, care requirements, and growing habits.

The appearance of Air Plants VS Succulents

Air plants are epiphytes, which means they do not require soil to grow.

Instead, they absorb moisture and nutrients from the air through their leaves.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many have striking blooms.

Succulents, on the other hand, are plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots.

They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from tiny cacti to large, tree-like plants.

Care Requirements of Air Plants VS Succulents

Air plants are generally low-maintenance and require minimal watering.

They thrive in bright, indirect light and can be placed in a variety of containers or mounted on surfaces such as driftwood or rocks.

Succulents, on the other hand, require more attention to watering.

They need well-draining soil and should be watered only when the soil is completely dry.

They also require bright, indirect light and may need to be moved closer to a window during the winter months.

Growing habits of Air Plants vs Succulents

Air plants are often grown as individual specimens or in small groupings.

They do not require a lot of space and can be easily displayed on a tabletop or hung from a wall.

Succulents, on the other hand, can grow quite large and may need to be repotted periodically as they outgrow their containers.

They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them a versatile choice for indoor or outdoor gardens.

In summary, both air plants and succulents are interesting and attractive indoor plants, but they have different care requirements and growing habits.

Choosing between them ultimately depends on personal preference and the conditions in your home or office.

Succulent vs Air Plant Which Plant Purifies the Air the Most?

When it comes to air purification, both air plants and succulents have some benefits, but they are not as effective as other types of plants.

Air plants and succulents are primarily used for their aesthetic value and ease of care.

In general, plants are effective at removing certain pollutants from the air, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

However, the effectiveness of a particular plant at purifying the air depends on several factors.

This includes the size of the plant, the amount of airflow in the room, and the type and concentration of pollutants present.

If you are looking for a plant that is known for its air purification abilities, some of the best options include:

  • Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
  • Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
  • Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
  • Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Overall, while air plants and succulents may have some air-purifying benefits, they are not the most effective options.

If you want to improve the air quality in your home or office, you may want to consider adding one or more of the plants listed above or doing further research on other air-purifying plants.

subscription plant box

How to Care for Your Air Plants

When selecting the plants I wanted to add to my collection, I stumbled upon something called an Air Plant, this was new to me.

I immediately thought to myself, what is an Air Plant? So I did a little research and was excited to find out that this plant seems really hard to kill.

That is great news for a beginner because the Succulents Box didn’t come with any instructions and I would have been lost without the internet.

There is a lot of great information out there on how to care for your particular Air Plant but I am happy to share what I have learned so far on the best care for Air Plants. 

Air plants get most of their nutrients from the air around them but they still need to be watered.  When your Air Plant first arrives, you need to soak it for about 15 minutes. 

The next step is to hang it upside down to allow it to dry. They can get moldy so it is important to actually dry them before forgetting about them until the next watering cycle. 

If your plant leaves begin to curl up, they may need to be watered longer. This will depend on your location and the humidity in your home.

Be sure to check on your plants often until you figure out their specific needs. 

You will continue to do this about once a week. 

Air Plants vs Succulents

How to Care for Your Succulent Plants

When caring for Succulents, the watering process is a bit different from other household plants although not that different from Air Plants.

You will get to learn more about your plants and what works best for them over time.

In the meantime, I hope what little I know about growing these plants can help you get started with your Succulents Box.

Succulents thrive when soaked during the watering process but then let them dry out before watering again.

The rule to follow is that you will water Succulents more than most plants at each watering time but you will water them less frequently than other varieties. 

Air Plants VS Succulents

Where to place your Succulents and Air Plants 

My Air Plant seems to prefer bright indirect light.

I have learned from the little research I did on these plants, that the coloring of your leaves will tell you about the amount of sunlight your Air Plant requires.

The lighter green leaves tend to prefer indirect sunlight while the silver-leaved varieties thrive in bright, sunny locations with direct light. 

Much like Air Plants, the placement of your Succulent will depend on the variety.

While most Succulents love light and need about 6-8 hours each day, you may want to be careful about placing your Succulents in a sunny location at first.

Just like any plants, the Succulents can get sunburnt or scorched by having too much sunlight so if you aren’t sure what amount your variety requires, keep an eye on your plant and adjust as needed. 

plant subscription box

What do You Get in a Succulents Gift Box?

When ordering the 1 Airplant and 1 Succulent gift box from Succulentsbox.com you will receive 1 random Air Plant and 1 random Succulent plant.

A display for your Air Plant and a pot for your Succulent, a greeting card, and stickers.

This simple set up makes for a great gift since it includes everything you need to start your own indoor garden.

Giving a Succulent gift box is a great idea because this is a present that can last a lifetime and your friends will always think of you when enjoying their plants. 

I hope you have learned how to care for your Succulents and Air Plants and start reaping the many health benefits of succulents.

Do you have any tips that you would like to share?

Leave a comment below letting us know what has worked for your Succulents and Air Plants. 

Interested in Learning Even More about Plants? 

Learn How to Care for Boston Ferns both indoors and out. From watering to fertilizer, learn how to ensure your Boston Fern thrives by reading this post with lots of tips for growing Boston Ferns indoors and out!

You may also enjoy this post that shares a recipe for homemade miracle grow.

About Thirty Something Super Mom

Melissa Dixon Thirty Something Super Mom
Thirty Something Super Mom | Website | + posts

My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.

Judy Rittenhouse

Friday 6th of November 2020

I love succulents! They are beautiful and fairly easy to care for! Thanks for this giveaway!

Rosemary

Friday 6th of November 2020

wow

Judy Rittenhouse

Friday 6th of November 2020

I love succulents...they are beautiful and take little time to care for them.

Rhonda Martin

Saturday 24th of October 2020

Succulents are my favorite. I don't have a green thumb but these do good for me. I think they are so unique 🤗 I've never owned an air plant. That's a plant that I might not need a green thumb to keep it from dying too.

Chris L

Thursday 22nd of October 2020

I would love to get this for my daughter. She started growing succulents earlier this year.