Earth Star

Earth Star will do best with an occasional deep watering contrasted with dry periods. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to fully dry out in between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot and death of the plant. Poke your finger into the soil to check for dryness. If the top layer is dry, it’s time to water. During the winter months, water much less, keeping the soil barely moist.

Earth Star should be kept in an area with bright, indirect light. It will become spindly if kept in a completely dark area, and the foliage won't be as vibrant. It's best to place your Earth Star in an area where it can get plenty of natural morning light but will be protected from hot afternoon sun. During the winter, move the plant to an area with medium-level light.

Ideal temperatures for an Earth Star should range from 65–80⁰F (18–27⁰C). During the winter months, move your Earth Star to an area that stays consistently between 50–65⁰F (10–18⁰C).

Earth Star is a type of air plant and will do best in a living area that carries moderate humidity, up to 40–60% humidity. During the cooler months, keep the humidity levels slightly higher by misting the plant regularly.

Earth Star prefers a coarsely-textured, desert-like soil that will allow for good drainage. It also needs to be well aerated to provide the plant with enough oxygen. A mix of coarse sand, perlite, and peat moss is a great option, as this mix will provide both drainage and aeration. You can also add a bit of pumice or slate to the mix for texture and additional drainage.

Earth Star should typically only be fertilized during its active growing season, usually starting in the spring. Use an all-purpose liquid fertilizer at ¼ of the recommended strength and fertilize every two weeks. In the wintertime, reduce fertilizing to once every month, or skip fertilizing altogether.

Earth Star can be prone to various pests, including mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Mealybugs will appear as small, fuzzy white spots on the leaves and stems of the plant, while scale will look like light brown crusty bumps on the stems and underside of the leaves. Spider mites are very tiny and appear as pale dots on the surface of the leaves. To get rid of these pests, use a soapy water mixture, and mix together 1 teaspoon of pure liquid soap in 1 quart of water. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and apply it to the foliage, including the underside of the leaves. Spray the plant regularly every few days until the pests are gone. Make sure to only use soap meant for plants, as others can be too harsh for your Earth Star.

Earth Star should usually be repotted once every two to three years as needed. The best time for repotting is in the spring, when the plant is preparing to become active again and resume growing. When repotting, use a planter that is slightly larger than the previous one. Make sure to use a coarsely textured potting soil specifically designed for succulents and air plants.

Earth Star should usually be left alone in terms of pruning and should only be pruned if necessary. If you find your plant becoming too tall or leggy, you can cut it back and remove up to a third of its height.

For extra moisture retention and to protect the roots from extreme temperatures, consider adding a layer of mulch to the soil. A simple product like pet-safe wood chips or shredded bark can be used for this purpose.

Earth Star can easily be propagated by using its offsets, or “pups”. To propagate, wait until the pups have developed a few sets of leaves and can easily be removed from the mother plant. Carefully remove them, taking care not to damage the delicate roots. Plant them in fresh potting soil, making sure each pup has a base to support itself. With proper care, they should root quickly.

Since the base of an Earth Star is very shallow, it usually won’t need any extra support and will be able to stand upright on its own. However, if the base becomes too top-heavy, you can always add a stake for extra support.

Earth Star will enter a natural dormancy during the winter months and will naturally slow its growth rate. During the winter, it is best to reduce watering and move the plant to an area with low to medium light. Resting during this time will help the plant stay healthy and strong.

Earth Star is not toxic to pets, though you may want to keep your pets away from the plant as their fur may damage it.