Why Is My Air Plant Turning Red?

Feeling worried and concerned is natural if you’ve noticed that your air plant has turned red. After all, air plants are beloved for their beautiful green hues, and a sudden color change is unsettling. You may be wondering why is my air plant turning red.

Your air plant is turning red due to natural changes in its life cycle or age, environmental factors such as light, temperature, and humidity, or nutritional deficiencies such as lack of water or fertilizer.

However, you should remember that a red air plant isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. There are several reasons why your air plant might be turning red, and understanding these helps you take the necessary steps to care for your plant and restore it to its former glory.

In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of red air plants and provide tips on preventing and reviving them.

Table of Contents

What Causes Air Plants To Turn Red?

One of the interesting traits of air plants is their ability to change color, with many of the more popular varieties turning a deep red hue under certain conditions. But what causes air plants to turn red? In this part, we’ll explore the factors that cause air plants to shift to red.

Natural Changes

Some air plants may turn red as a part of their natural life cycle or aging process. This is common in certain species of air plants.

Life Cycle: Air plants naturally change color as they mature, and some species turn red as they approach blooming.
Aging Process: as air plants age, they lose their vibrant green color and develop red or brown hues. These changes are typically gradual and not a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms of poor health or damage.

Environmental Factors

Exposure to high light or temperature, low humidity, or extreme weather conditions causes air plants to turn red. The red pigmentation is sometimes a sign of stress or damage.

Light: Air plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. If exposed to too much direct or insufficient light, they turn red or brown as a sign of stress.
Temperature: Air plants are sensitive to temperature changes and are damaged by extreme heat or cold. If exposed to temperatures that are too high or too low, they turn red or brown as a response to stress.
Humidity: Air plants require a humid environment to thrive. If the air is too dry, it will turn red or brown.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Air plants are hardy and survive in various conditions, but they require some basic care to thrive. Two common natural deficiencies that cause air plants to turn red are lack of water and lack of fertilizer.

Lack Of Water: Air plants absorb water and nutrients through their leaves, which causes them to become dehydrated and turn red or brown.
Lack Of Fertilizer: air plants need nutrients to thrive, and a lack of fertilizer leads to a nutrient deficiency that also causes the plant to change color.

The Common Colors Of Air Plants, And What Do They Indicate

Air plants are unique and fascinating plants that can come in various colors. Understanding the color changes of air plants is important for their care and maintenance. The following are the three common colors of air plants and what they indicate:

Green Color

The natural color of healthy air plants is typically green. However, the exact shade of green can vary depending on the species and growing conditions.

Red Color

Air plants can turn red for various reasons, including natural changes in their life cycle or age, exposure to environmental factors such as high light or temperature, low humidity, or stress caused by lack of water or nutrients. Additionally, some species of air plants, such as Tillandsia Cyanea or “Pink Quill,” naturally turn pink or red when they’re about to bloom.

Brown Color

Brown leaves on air plants signify dehydration or sunburn. It’s important to avoid direct sunlight and mist or soak air plants regularly to prevent them from drying out. Brown coloration also is a sign of rot or disease, which is fatal if left untreated.

How To Prevent Red Air Plants

Preventing air plants from turning red requires providing the right growing conditions to keep them healthy and stress-free. Here are some tips to help prevent air plants from turning red.

Provide Adequate Light: Air plants require bright, indirect light to thrive. However, too much direct sunlight causes stress and leads to discoloration. Place air plants in a sunny location but out of direct sunlight.
Maintain Proper Humidity: These plants require a humid environment to stay healthy. Dry air causes stress and leads to discoloration. To maintain proper humidity, mist air plants regularly or soak them in water for 20–30 minutes once a week.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Air plants prefer a temperature range of 50-90 °F (10-32 °C). Exposure to extreme temperatures creates stress and leads to discoloration. Keep air plants away from hot or cold drafts.
Water Regularly: They require regular watering to stay hydrated. Over or under-watering causes stress and lead to discoloration. Water air plants once a week by misting or soaking them in water for 20–30 minutes.
Provide Proper Nutrition: Air plants require nutrients to grow and stay healthy. Fertilize air plants once a month with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, be careful not to over-fertilize, which causes stress and discoloration.

How To Revive Red Air Plants

If your air plants have already turned red, don’t worry! You can still do some things to help revive them and restore their color. Here are some steps to follow to revive red air plants:

Identify The Cause Of Discoloration: Before attempting to revive your air plants, it’s important to identify the cause of discoloration. This helps you take appropriate measures to address the underlying issue.
Soak The Air Plant: Soak the entire air plant in water for about 20-30 minutes. This will rehydrate the plant and remove any debris or dead tissue.
Remove Dead Leaves: If your air plant has dead or brown leaves, gently remove them with scissors or a sharp, sterile knife. This will promote new growth and prevent the spread of disease.
Provide Proper Care: Once you have soaked and pruned your air plant, provide it with the proper care to promote growth and restore color. This includes providing adequate light, humidity, water, and nutrients.
Be Patient: Reviving air plants takes time, so be patient and consistent with your care. Your air plant should show signs of improvement within a few weeks with proper care.

Final Words

Air plants are fascinating plants that bring a unique and exotic touch to your home or office space. This article thoroughly described the fact of why is my air plant turning red. If you’ve noticed your air plant turning red, some factors, such as environmental conditions, age, or natural deficiencies, could be at play.

By understanding these factors and taking steps to provide proper care, you can help prevent your air plants from turning red and keep them looking healthy and vibrant. Remember to monitor the health of your air plants regularly, keeping an eye out for any changes in color or signs of stress.

Ensure adequate light, temperature, humidity, regular watering, and fertilization. With a little attention and care, your air plants can thrive and bring you joy for years.