I recently visited the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Ft. Myers, Florida, where I viewed their homes, gardens, laboratories, and museum. The plant collections there are fascinating, particularly those of the rubber trees that were evaluated as potential tire materials suppliers.
I took use of Edison’s most famous invention, the light bulb, by purchasing a small terrarium-style hanging planter styled like a light bulb. An air plant sits in sphagnum moss on the inside. I adore looking at it every day because it hangs above my kitchen window.
The Bromeliad family’s air plants, commonly known as Tillandsia, are fascinating plants. Bromeliads are all epiphytes, meaning they rely on something else for support. As a result, plants in nature use their root systems to grow on trees and rocks without harming them. Rather than obtaining water and nutrients from the soil through their roots, they obtain them from the air and rain through their leaves.
Simply give three essentials to maintain air plants healthy and happy: sun, water, and air movement.
First, light in the form of filtered, rather than direct, sunshine from a south, east, or west window is required. You can hang them outside in a tree or other sheltered spot throughout the summer.
Second, appropriate irrigation is essential for Tillandsia growth. I mist mine every few days to keep the sphagnum moss substrate moist while allowing the plant to dry out slightly in between waterings. The leaves are too dry if they curl or roll. Submerge the plant in water overnight to revive it, then shake off any excess water before returning it to its display spot.
Third, proper air circulation allows the plant to dry out between waterings, which helps it avoid illnesses.
Terrariums, which are clear glass or plastic containers packed with miniature plants, are ideal for displaying air plants. Typically, terrariums are securely closed, but one side of my light-bulb-shaped container is fully open to aid air circulation.
- The Peoria and Havana Extension offices will display the 1:30 p.m. session on Tuesday.
How to Care for Air Plants
First and foremost, before you get started on constructing this amazing terrarium, you might want to brush up on how to care for air plants. It’s fortunate for you that it’s quite simple! Air plants (also known as Tillandsias) require this in order to survive.
- Air plants thrive under intense light and may even withstand direct sunlight. Air plants can perish abruptly if they are exposed to too little light. It’s difficult to save them once they’ve reached that point, so make sure you take care of their lighting requirements.
- It’s simple to water air plants… Gather all of your air plants in a large bowl or sink once a week and soak them for 20-30 minutes in water. Allow them to drain on a towel, upside down. If you let water collect in the leaves of your air plants, they’ll rot, so give them a good shake before laying them out to drain.
- Add a half-strength water soluble fertilizer to the water you soak them in every other watering during the growing season.
That concludes our discussion. So, here’s how to construct an air plant terrarium that not only looks great but also complements your home design.
Air Plant Terrarium Supplies
We created our first air plant terrarium with a simple aesthetic in mind. There’s nothing here but white sand, a few stones, and two lovely air plants. Take note of the one that is in full bloom! It’s a common misconception that once air plants bloom, they perish. While they will eventually die after blossoming, they still have a lot of work ahead of them. Blooming signifies that the plant is preparing to generate air plant pups, also known as young air plants, near its base. So never throw away an air plant that has blossomed… it isn’t done yet!
Air Plant Terrarium Instructions
- To achieve the desired look, add air plants. For a more minimalist aesthetic, use one or two… or as many as you can to create an urban jungle image!
As you can see, there are many distinct types of air plants. Some have beautiful leaves, while others have coarser ones. Sizes, hues, and even watering requirements vary.
We also wanted to go for a more natural look with this air plant terrarium. We used foraged items from our local shore, such as a piece of driftwood and a stone coated in barnacles, in this DIY terrarium. We love the contrast between the preserved moss and the three different air plants in this terrarium.
With the plant parent revolution, air plants are all the rage, and this only goes to show that they can be just as beautiful and interesting as any philodendron or fern!
Where to Buy Air Plants
All of the air plants, preserved moss, and terrarium in this post were given by Etsy seller ‘Spyloh,’ and we are so pleased with them that we won’t buy air plants from anybody else for the time being!
We hope you’re ready to start building your own air plant terrarium. Create the ideal environment for your plants to thrive! We hope you’ll enjoy our article on Clever & Cool Indoor Garden Ideas & Projects, as well as our article on What Are Air Plants? or OhMeOhMyDIY !’s Branch Chandelier Air Plant Display!
Do air plants need sand?
Terrariums are a wonderful way to add a little green to any environment, and you can really make your terrarium stand out by using different types of bases. We get a lot of queries regarding how to exhibit air plants in terrariums, such as what kind of bases to use and whether or not they require soil, and so on. Below are some suggestions for selecting the correct bases and decorations to create a stunning air plant terrarium!
>Preserved reindeer moss, beautiful sand, small rocks, seashells, bark, marbles, and other materials can be used as the substrate. When it comes to the colors and textures of sand and rock for terrariums, the possibilities are unlimited, so have fun with it!
>Since your air plants don’t require soil to survive, there’s no need to include it here. The majority of air plants, in fact, should never be planted in soil. To add variation and texture to your terrarium, just layer moss, sand, or rock.
>You don’t want your air plants in their terrariums or holders to come into contact with any moisture, so make sure whatever base you use is entirely dry.
Can you put air plants in rocks?
- Don’t put them in the ground. Ever. They’re epiphytes, meaning they live on other plants rather than in the ground.
- You can put them in unusual places because they don’t require dirt. One can be placed in a shallow bowl or vase filled with rocks or sand, one can be placed in a little container with a magnet and placed on the fridge, or one can be tied to driftwood using a translucent fishing line.
- Do not confine them to a terrarium. Yes, they’re cute, and there are photographs of air plant terrariums all over Instagram, but air plants require air circulation. A closed container will keep them overly damp, causing them to decay or become infected with fungus.
Can air plant survive in closed terrarium?
While air plants enjoy some humidity, they require fresh air and excellent air flow and should not be kept in a confined terrarium.
How often do I mist my air plant?
Air plants in glass globes have grown so popular that I’m always getting calls asking how to care for them. Follow these simple instructions to get the most out of your glass-encased plant. If you’re seeking for glass globes, our shop has a wide selection of distinctive patterns.
- When you initially get your plant, immerse it in water for 20-30 minutes. Take note of the plant’s size and color to determine how content it is. Keep this “image” in your thoughts at all times.
- Every 4-5 days, mist your plant with one spray for tiny globes, 2-3 sprays for globes 3-5 inches in diameter, and more if the plant is in a large open globe. The trick is to determine the drying time; the smaller the globe, the less circulation, the longer the plant will retain moisture. The plant will perish if it is overwatered.
- Remember how your plant appeared after it had been soaked? If it has lost its joyful, healthy appearance, remove it from the globe and soak it for 30 minutes to an hour, then shake it and allow it dry almost entirely before replacing it.
- Do not position your globes in front of a window that receives direct sunlight. Keep in mind that the glass will magnify the sunshine and heat. The ideal light is indirect light, and certain plants may even flourish in low to moderate light.
- Ionantha Guatemala, Ionantha Rubra, Ionantha Scaposa, Ionantha Mexican, Ionantha Fuego, Funkiana, Argentea, Bulbosa Guatemala, and Butzii are some of the most popular globe plants.
- The care instructions that follow are more detailed, so dive right in! As I’ve learnt more over the last year, I’ve added more.
Is an air plant a succulent?
Succulents and air plants are not the same thing. Succulents have plump or juicy sections, whereas air plants have prickly leaves. The most notable distinction is that air plants get their nutrients from the air and are watered by spraying, whereas succulents live and eat in the earth.
What is the lifespan of an air plant?
Air plants, often known as tillandsias, are perennial plants. This indicates they survive for an average of more than two years (source), with a lifespan ranging from two to five years. However, the length of time they live depends on the type of air plant as well as the growing conditions.
Should I mist my air plants?
Tillandsia, often known as air plants, is one of our planet’s most unusual vegetation. Because they collect water from the air and rainstorms, air plants are often assumed to require no water. This is almost true in their native places, but the ambient air is too arid at home, and no sudden storms will pass by. Tillandsias require consistent hydration, but not excessive moisture. With mounted air plants, this can be a concern, but we’ll go over a few options for keeping your plant hydrated.
Bromeliads are epiphytic air plants. Although they are not parasitic, they prefer to grow on logs, in cracks and crevasses, and even on live plants. Although a few live in drier conditions, they are most frequent in tropical forest settings. Air plants, like any other plant, require consistent water, light, and nutrition. Because they are in a soilless environment, mounted on something or within a terrarium or glass bowl, they are more difficult to care for than conventional houseplants. The lack of media for retaining moisture and nutrients creates a problem for keeping them healthy.
Air plant misting is the most common way of watering, however it doesn’t adequately hydrate plant roots and might cause fungal concerns in leaves if the plant isn’t in a well-ventilated area where leaves dry quickly. In extremely dry homes and regions, spraying air plants is the greatest way to enhance humidity.
Can I hot glue air plants?
Silicone sealant can be used to install airplants on a variety of wood, rocks, and logs. Apply a little dab of silicone to the branch where you want to install the plant, then seat the plant in the silicone, making sure it is firm. While the silicone hardens, a little dab of hot glue can be used to keep the plant in place. To avoid burning the leaves, let the glue cool for about 10 seconds. When installing the plants, make sure to put those with a bulbous or inflated base horizontally or upsidedown to avoid water pooling around the base of the leaves, which can cause rot. To assist cover the glue or silicone, small pieces of dried moss can be glued around the base of the plants, but don’t use too much or the plant will decay.