Air plants, remarkable not only for their sexy names (Tillandsia! Bromeliad! Xerographica! Oh my!), but also for their ability to absorb water and nutrients from the air, are easy to care for and incredibly versatile in terms of display. Here's a roundup of my favorite Etsy options, but I also suggest keeping your mind open to the many possibilities for DIY, vintage scouring, and repurposing.
Top row:
1. Set of 3 Porcelain and Leather Hanging Containers, $120 plus shipping from Farrahsit: Simple, organic, and modern, these handcrafted porcelain vessels look elegant staggered on a wall. I love the idea of one-of-a-kind pieces, but if you're on a budget, think of modifying the Ikea Asker vessels for a similar look.
2. Starfish and Little Air Plant, $13 plus shipping from West Nest: I find starfish to be very texturally pleasing creatures, and the unexpected addition of an air plant transforms them into even more lovely (and oddly volcanic-looking) focal points.
3. Golden Tillandsia Pod, $7.50 plus shipping from The Tropical Garden: Add some reflectiveness to your room with a touch of gilded glitz.
4. Dinosaur Planter with Air Plant, $20 plus shipping from Boy-Girl Tees: Why not give your room a bit of prehistoric whimsy with a repurposed toy?
5. Air Pod Plant Holder, $38 plus supping from I Love Air Pods: Beautifully handcrafted out of ceramic, these planters remind me of my childhood wiffle balls, meaning that they're tasteful and playful at the same time.
Second row:
6. Buffalo Horn Air Plant Holder, $35 plus shipping from West Nest: The natural materials and hand-painted accents of this horn holder will really heighten the drama of your air plant collection.
7. Hanging Teardrop Facet Terrarium, $50 plus shipping from ABJ Glassworks: With its geometric lines and perfect copper patina, this handmade terrarium is a showpiece in and of itself. I always advocate supporting artists and artisans when possible, but if you are looking for a similar style on a budget, Urban Outfitters has a faceted terrarium that would also showcase your plants well.
8. Tillandsia Sputnik Sea Urchin Shell, $8.75 plus shipping from Succulent Designs: Sea urchins are one of my favorite home accessories, given that they are affordable, textural, and naturally sculptural. Mix your land and sea by adding a tillandsia for even more visual interest.
9. Unicorn Air Plant Pod, $18 plus shipping from Claylicious: Sweet, fun, and adorable (but not over-the-top twee), this one is awakening eight-year-old me with a resounding squee.
10. Mini Concrete Planter with Druid Air Plant, $15 plus shipping from My Zen: This fun and funky little vessel reminds me of a traditional Mexican molcajete. Usually my mortar is filled with guacamole, but I like the idea of filling it with a different variety of green. You could also use other styles of mortars, like this octagonal one or this marble one, to create unique homes for your air plants.
Third row:
11. Air Plant Wall Art Hanger, $75 plus shipping from Twisted Acres: For those who want many air plants, this wall hanger provides plenty of space for them to nestle together. The artist has also upcycled a wine bottle into a light fixture, so you can add a bit of ambient lighting to your garden when the mood strikes.
12. Metal Stand with Air Plant, $5 plus shipping from Air Buddies: As simple as it gets, this little holder will let the natural beauty of your plant shine.
13. 2-in-1 Hanging Air Planter, $40 plus shipping from Ingleside Pottery: I love the versatility of this porcelain spool planter. Vertically or horizontally, it perfectly frames the tillandsia. And who doesn't want their plants to pull some gravity-defying stunts?
14. Stackable Living Eco Cube, $25 plus shipping from E-Garden Studio: Stack these for a living, verdant version of glass block tiles.
15. Nautical Knot Holder, $8 plus shipping from Air Buddies: This knot holder will add texture to the max. What's more, I like the shape of this planter, which is a little visual pun that makes the tillandsia resemble its cousin the pineapple.
Bottom row:
16. Mini Air Plant or Succulent Planter, $10 plus shipping from Old and Board: If you want to break up the trend I've got going here of mostly ceramic, glass, and porcelain vessels, then here's some aged wood and rusted metal to add a bit of warmth and industrial character.
17. Air Plant Crystal Garden, $32 plus shipping from Earth Sea Warrior: The addition of a tiny air plant makes this sparkly crystal cave even more special.
MORE AIR PLANTS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Amazing Air Plants: An Interview with the Air Plant Man
• 10 Ways to Display Air Plants
• Hanging Pots for Air Plants
• Inspiration: Hang Air Plants in Glass Bubbles
(Images: as credited above)
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Great post! Though I'm definitely in the running for the "most notorious plant assassin in Chicago" title. :) I'll have to get one of these!
Love air plants, but if you think they're easier to maintain than the average succulent then you're in for a surprise! I killed my fair share before I finally figured out what worked best in my apartment (central air is an air plant assassin). Give them a weekly soak then let them dry completely before putting them back in place and you should be fine!
I want the dinosaur!!!
Keeping succulents alive is harder than it seems. Especially if you get a really finicky species. It's easy to get the water needs wrong, especially overwatering. Light is another big issue. Sure, that aloe looks great on your coffee table, but is it getting enough sun?Some even have dormancy periods where they need no water, etc. If you are a plant assassin, the best way to get over a bad case of the black thumb is first, learn from your mistakes. Taking care of plants is a skill you develop. Second, look up detailed, species-specific plant information when you bring a new addition home. This can save you a lot of frustration. Third, don't be afraid to ask questions. There are many garden forums where plant enthusiasts can assist.
I would actually recommend the dreaded orchid over air plants. I've killed 15 of 16 air plants I've brought into the house but I've only had 2 of 15 or so orchids die. I even have a phaleanopsis (the flat-faced ones that pretty much every grocery store sells now) that I've gotten to rebloom. Secrets: four feet away from a south facing window and no more, stick my fingers in the pot every time I walk by to check for dampness. The Phales are fine with a good drenching every so often (no less than ever other week!) and most of the other kinds that Trader Joe's sell do beautifully on a similar schedule.
You just have to pick plants that like the conditions you have. Have climate control going most of the year? Be sure you get plants that can tolerate dryness. Live in San Francisco? Plants native to cloud forests for you!
Succulents are super easy to overwater and under-sun, so they aren't actually all that easy in my opinion. Ferns that you just plan to water ever Monday work well (not maidenhair, they die) and so do prayer plants and peace lilies. Just set yourself an alarm. I have 8 potted plants and one potted tree in my office on exactly that schedule and they're doing great.
The most important trick? Make it easy. Put them where you'll see them all the time and put them on or in something so you can just dump water on them. If you have to move them into the sink, it's a commitment and becomes less likely that you'll remember.
I also found air plants to be trickier than everyone made them out to be. I nearly killed one by overwatering it. I just mist mine a couple times a week and they seem to be maintaining themselves. One I keep in indirect sunlight and two others were kept completely in the shade. One of the shaded ones died but the other one is thriving. I should have looked the specific needs up before placing them in my terrarium. Also, for terrariums, I used a huge glass container I found at Marshalls for $15.
www.canadianairplant.com has a great selection of air plants and they do wholesale for those who want to start and living art business. I work markets in the summer and sell about 200 of them every weekend at the market and this company supplies me. I love my air plant business!