I first saw air plants while visiting The Gardens, a local nursery that has a knack for bringing in unique home and garden finds. My initial question, I learned later, was quite typical: Are these real?
It wasn’t just their sea creature-like appearance that seemed so strange; it was the fact that they were conspicuously lacking something that usually grounds other plants: soil! Instead of being tucked safely away in dirt, their roots were exposed. The plants were gently placed in shallow boxes and pots without soil or water.
It was love at first sight. I soon was gathering as much information as I could about these strange beauties. Air plants is the common name for Tillandsia, a member of the Bromeliad family, and there are hundreds of different types. Tillandsia absorb nutrients through their leaves, and their roots can attach to just about anything: rocks, trees, canopies, other plants, even the ground.
Their structured leaves, unique shapes, and even brightly-colored blooms make them perfect for home design and decor. You can set them in a hanging vase, place them on a tray, even attach them to a garland! This display was a gift from my in-laws: The vases, each filled with light snow and an air plant, were hung from a red dogwood branch with fuzzy birds perched on top.
While it seems they need little more than the air they breathe, air plants do need attention to live and thrive. Here are the basic care tips I received from The Gardens. They’ve worked so well that a couple of my plants have even bloomed!
- Provide your air plants with sunlight but be careful of too much direct sun.
- Make sure they have good air circulation.
- For best results, soak the air plants a few times a week for half an hour. Let them dry completely within four hours time. (I soak mine in the sink–just dunk the whole thing in–, then place in a sunny windowsill or on the mantel to dry.)
- Add a liquid fertilizer once a month to the soak.
Once you have the basics down, you can learn how to propagate your plants, grow them outside, and even attach them to trees. For now, I’m quite happy with my air plants bringing a bit of the natural world indoors.
What do you think of these lovelies? Can you see air plants being part of your home and garden design?
They are so unique looking I would love to try a few of these and since my daughter gave me a gift certificate to, “The Gardens at Cal Turf,” I think this would be a fun project to make. Thanks ladies, and BTW, I love the one your in-laws made for you! It is definitely a Candace look!
Yes they know me pretty well 🙂 Renee, you are so lucky to have that gift certificate! So many beautiful things to buy!
Wow, your photos are absolutely stunning!
I love this! I have those same containers, now I just need those beautiful plants. 🙂
Thanks Steph and Chels! And yes, Chels, all you need are a few beautiful plants. They would look really nice with your little succulent garden!
Roger and I just completed our air plants. So the guy at this store: http://utsuwa.myshopify.com/ said that they need lots of air and just to spray them with a spray bottle. What do you think of that as opposed to immersing them?
Hi Chels! So fun that you bought a few. Yes, I’ve heard (and read) that you can simply spray them daily. From what I understand, it depends on how hot and dry your environment is. So for us in the valley, it’s pretty much a must that we give them a good dip each week. But for you in the Bay area, you may be able to get away with it during your cooler, wetter seasons. I’d still probably dunk them occasionally, though. I started really paying attention to my air plants within the last month (watering more often, adding a fertilizer) and they’re all blooming now, so it does help, I think.
I saw a similar display to yours hanging in a coffee shop in San Diego, and I fell in love. I believe they incorporated some colorful rocks and other things to add color to the display. I haven’t decided where would be a good place for these in my house, if anywhere, but I do like them.
Wow, I love the idea of adding colorful rocks! I have moss ready to swap with the snow once January is over, but a few rocks would be a neat element!
We at 3 Story Magazine love them too! More here; http://3storymagazine.com/air-plants/
Thanks Gillian! And LOVE your magazine! Fantastic. Super inspiring.
why are the tips of my air plant leaves turning brown?