Why isn't my air plant producing pups?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.To find out why your air plant is not producing pups, consider the environmental factors that may be influencing its natural growth cycle. The lack of offsets usually indicates that growing conditions are not ideal for the plant, rather than a failure of the plant itself. Proper diagnosis and cure of the problems will restore normal pup development.
Light Deficiency
- Insufficient light exposure prevents blooming and pup formation
- Provide 12+ hours daily of bright indirect light
- Use full-spectrum grow lights at 2000-3000 lux indoors
Temperature Issues
- Missing 10-15°F nightly drops below 65°F inhibits reproduction
- Maintain 65-80°F daytime temperatures
- Create nightly drops by placing near windows
Nutrition Imbalance
- Overfertilization disrupts hormonal balance needed for pupping
- Apply bromeliad fertilizer at quarter strength monthly
- Suspend feeding for 8 weeks after blooms appear
Removing blooms prematurely prevents energy from transferring to the baby plants. Always allow blooms to die naturally. Extreme heat, defined as temperatures over 90 degrees F, or extreme cold, defined as temperatures under 50 degrees F, results in a shutdown of reproductive capacity. I successfully remedied a drought of plant babies by installing a thermostat-controlled grow shelf. Results will be shown in two months.
Consistent humidity is essential; maintain a humidity range of 50-70% using pebble trays. Do not place a plant near air vents, as this could cause excessive fluctuations in humidity. Consider grouping plants to create a more consistent microclimate. These conditions will help inform your plant that it's safe to reproduce.
It's essential to remain patient, even after making necessary corrections. These plants require 2-3 growth cycles to reset, so be observant of any bloom spikes that appear first. This is a good sign that things are returning to a healthy state. Broader, small pups will come about 8-12 weeks later. Whenever adjustments are made, take notes to aid in monitoring.
Requirements unique to a given species affect pup production. A fast-growing Ionantha reacts more quickly than a slow Xerographica. Research the specific needs of your plant. If you can match the conditions exactly, you can have reliable pup production. Healthy plants will produce numerous offsets.
Read the full article: 7 Essential Steps for Air Plant Pups Care
