Thrips on Air Plants
Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.)
Symptoms
- silvery or bronzed streaking on leaf surfaces
- tiny black specks (frass) scattered on leaves
- scarred or distorted new growth
- damage more visible on smoother, less fuzzy species
Causes
Thrips feeding on leaf surface tissue
Thrips scrape at leaf cells and feed on the released contents, leaving behind characteristic silvery, papery-looking streaks; on air plants this damage can be somewhat less common than on typical potted houseplants but still occurs, particularly on smoother-leaved species with less protective trichome density.
Introduction from nearby plants or outdoor exposure
Thrips travel readily on wind or from an infested neighboring plant, and an air plant displayed near other affected plants or one that has spent time near an open window can pick up an infestation.
How to Fix It
- 1
Isolate the plant from others, since thrips move readily to nearby plants.
- 2
Rinse the plant thoroughly during its next soak, working the water gently over all leaf surfaces to dislodge a portion of the population.
- 3
Apply a light, diluted insecticidal soap treatment, taking care with concentration since air plants can be more sensitive to strong treatments than typical potted plants.
- 4
Repeat treatment every 5-7 days for a few cycles to catch newly hatched thrips.
- 5
Dry the plant thoroughly after each treatment as usual, since the treatment steps don't change the plant's normal drying needs.
Prevention
- Keep the plant away from other infested or outdoor-exposed plants
- Inspect new plants before displaying them near an established air plant collection
- Check leaves periodically for early signs of streaking or scarring
Quick Summary
| Plant | Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.) |
|---|---|
| Category | Pests |
| Likely causes | Thrips feeding on leaf surface tissue, Introduction from nearby plants or outdoor exposure |
| Fix steps | 5 steps — see above |