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.
What can I put in an air plant terrarium?
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.
What do I put my air plants in?
- 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.
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.
Can you put air plants with succulents?
Do you need some decoration ideas for your home? You can make a mixed terrarium with succulents and air plants of various textures if you want more variation. Simply avoid planting your air plant in soil or allowing it to sit in wet, as this might lead to decay. Some folks prefer a more fanciful terrarium, which includes miniature people, cars, or dinosaurs in addition to their plants. Make a beach terrarium with sand, moss, shells from your family’s vacation, and possibly a seashell.
Do air plants need pots?
Air plants can be grown in regular pots, but their small size and lack of moisture requirements make them ideal candidates for a variety of alternative planter designs.
For something a little unusual, try one of these unique air plant holders.
This larger air plant fits perfectly in a regular family fish bowl. For a distinctive and beachy atmosphere, add some white gravel and a collection of sea shells.
One of my blog followers gave me a photo of her air plant display, which she thought was extremely cool.
The air plants are held in place by a bent wire at the top of these attractive planters, which are made of wood blocks. So inventive. Lilibeth, thank you for sharing! I adore how these turned out!
Air plants enjoy sitting atop trees in the wild. Wrap some sphagnum moss around a piece of wood and attach the plant to it to achieve this look. When hanging in this manner, it will appear natural and woodsy.
Air plants are a great addition to any terrarium display. Terrariums keep the moisture in and provide the optimal habitat for the plant.
This charming teardrop-shaped glass holder is decorated with a heart and wrapped in copper wire. It gives the small tillandisia a natural appearance as it sits on a bed of green moss.
A note on copper and air plants:
Copper pipes and wires can be poisonous to air plants, especially if they are repeatedly exposed to moisture, which is necessary if you water in the container.
If you want to utilize a copper-containing air plant container, make sure it’s completely sealed with a clear coating like Flex Clear.
You can also remove the air plant from the container while watering it to avoid exposing the copper to wet.
An old wooden drawer with sections was transformed into a lovely succulent planter for an air plant and other succulents in this simple DIY project.
Because Air plants grow on host trees in nature, using log holders to display them makes a lot of sense.
For a completely symmetrical container, this lovely log design showcases two plants, one on each end.
Air plants are ideal options for shallow bowl planting due to their modest stature. For a minimalist look, this attractive air plant bowl container includes gravel, a piece of drift wood, and three distinct air plants.
Driftwood is an excellent choice for a planter. The sea naturally polishes it, forming cracks that can be used to plant tillandsia in.
Logs can be used in a variety of ways in planters. Here are some additional log planter options.
My most recent trip to the local farmer’s market was spent perusing an air plant vendor’s stall, which featured a plethora of attractive containers. This bird cage caught my eye, and I really like how it looks.
It was about 5 feet tall and had a massive piece of drift wood to hold the tillandsia plants!
This shield type air plant holder has a rustic holder made of a stained wooden plaque and copper tubing.
It’s simple to construct and looks great with the plant. Walnut Hollow Crafts has a tutorial for a shield planter.
This air plant is perfectly housed in a circular sphere constructed of flat copper wire. The planter is simple to spray and looks fantastic with the colorful moss beneath the air plant collection.
In this interesting coffee pot terrarium, my old Mr. Coffee carafe has a dual purpose.
My air plant was paired with other succulent plants to create a lovely display that requires very little watering.
A jute-wrapped glass bottle with a front round opening is embellished with a single wooden bead. For a fun rustic feel, add some colorful moss in various shades and a spiky air plant in the center.
This is a lovely planter. A side of a light bulb has been taken off to allow the air plant to be placed with some moss.
I like how the copper wire complements the light bulb’s top hue. Cute, different, and just the right size!
This marbled clay loop makes a terrific air plant holder and is a fun DIY project.
It’s constructed of polymer clay that’s been dyed before being baked.
This charming planter is composed of a ceramic cat figure with a plant-sitting area on top.
House of Hawthornes has additional adorable air plant holders.
These ancient metal pipe fittings serve as air plant holders as well.
They’re rustic and one-of-a-kind.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user BookFinch.
In this fairy garden fashioned from a brandy snifter, air plants look right at home. The small deck chair is adorable. It creates the ideal seaside scene! Pastels and Macaroons has a fairy garden instruction.
Last but not least, I recently discovered this beautiful planter at Lowe’s.
It’s a blown glass container with a cutout in the front and two copper wire wrappings.
The copper bloom complements the moss’s vibrant colors and nicely exhibits the air plant.
What kind of display do you have for your air plants? In the comments section below, I’d love to see some images!
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.
How do you submerge air plants?
We’ve discovered that soaking air plants in water works best for them here at the Air Plant Supply Co. It’s vital to keep in mind that air plants get all of their nourishment through their leaves rather than their roots. The roots are simply used to secure the air plant to a host tree, rock, or even the ground. Every week to ten days, soak your air plants in a bowl of water for 20 minutes to an hour. Completely submerge the plant. If your plant is blooming, you may want to maintain the bud above the water to avoid disturbing it, even though they are constantly wet in nature. To avoid shocking the plant, make sure the water is lukewarm or room temperature.