Tillandsias are air plants which means they do not need soil to survive. Air plants only need three things to thrive: bright light, proper watering, and good air ventilation. The plants should be exposed to direct morning sunlight and must be sprayed dripping wet at least twice a month.
Since Tillandsias do not need soil, it is not hard to play with them as home decors. Clay pots are good vessels for air plants because these containers are made from porous materials. They suggested using Tillandsia cyanea or pink quill plants for clay pots. This particular air plant needs plenty of water; so lining the pot with cocofiber or coco husk is advised for water absorption. Pink quill plants bear purple flowers that smell fragrant at night. Instead of putting other flowers or orchids. Tillandsias with long leaves such as Tillandsia juncea will look good on tall vases. Teapots can also be home to air plants.
Using a framed wire mesh is another creative way to play with air plants. ‘Pups,’ or offsets of air plants, are pinned by a tacker stapler or industrial glue to the wire mesh. It is important to ensure that the wire is rus-free or else it might wilt the plant. Do not directly put glue on the base of the plants because they need air ventilation. Air plants like Tillandsia “cotton candy" can also be used to decorate wreaths, particularly during the Christmas season. It must be noted that for these plants to look good and natural on wreath, they should be positioned in odd numbers, a rule that bonsai and ikebana masters follow. Seashells are also used to hold air plants such as the candle-like Tillandsia ionanthas.
Creating home décor with air plants can serve as a bonding activity for families, partners, and the like. And other than being a fun leisure activity, it can also be a source of extra income for creative people. “Making air plants as home décor is limitless. The only limit is your imagination.”
So what are you waiting for? Grab some of your mom’s old vases of those shells that you picked up from beach trips and mix and match it with Tillandsias from the garden shop near you.
