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Decorating with air plants

How to Decorate With Air Plants (11 Simple Ideas)

Incorporating air plants into your home decor is an easy and creative way to bring nature indoors. With proper care and attention, these low-maintenance plants can thrive and add beauty and interest to your home for years to come.

There are over 650 different species of air plants so the range of different shapes, sizes, and colors is extensive as well as extraordinary. I like to mix and match various types to create interesting and diverse displays.

Air plants can complement many decor styles, from minimalist and modern to bohemian and rustic. The possibilities are endless so my advice is to experiment with different containers, backdrops, and arrangements to find what works best for your space.

Decorative Display Ideas

Here are some basic decorative display ideas to get your creative juices flowing before we look at some stunning examples of how to decorate your home with air plants.

These ideas are very popular among air plant enthusiasts and are easy to replicate.

Create an Air Plant Terrarium

Air plant terrariums are very popular among Tilly enthusiasts and can incorporate all sorts of decorative elements such as moss, sand, pebbles, and lichens. This not only looks visually appealing but also helps maintain humidity levels around your plants.

Terrariums can feature on any flat surface or be hung from ceilings, walls, or other supporting objects.

Driftwood Displays

Mounting air plants on pieces of driftwood is one of my favorite ways to display Tillandsias. You can either glue the plants directly onto the wood or better still use fishing line or bonsai wire to tie them in place.

If you’re using glue make sure it’s waterproof glue, but remember this technique can make watering more difficult. You can of course use branches or logs to create similar displays.

Hang Your Air Plants

Hanging air plants is another popular way to display Tillandsias. Whether you use a single piece of wire, macrame hangers, or create a jellyfish collection, hanging decorations can save space. You can also use rope to create attractive decorations as shown in one of the examples below.

Although these plants are not hanging, they’re a good example of what you can achieve with a single strand of wire.

Air plant decorations - Ionanthas
Air plant care cheat sheet

Mix and Match Species

It’s always a good idea to combine different species of air plants to add variety and visual interest to your displays. Play with various shapes, sizes, and colors to create a more dynamic arrangement. You may think that most species of Tillandsia are one shade of green or another.

However, many species have a naturally white appearance due to the abundance of trichomes (tiny hairs or scales) on their leaves.

Other species have pale yellow or blushing red or maroon leaves so get creative when selecting the plants for your displays.

Incorporate Your Air Plants Into Other Decor

Air plants need bright indirect light to thrive so if kept in an indoor environment they need to be placed near a window so they receive adequate light, but otherwise they can be placed almost anywhere.

The simplest way to decorate with air plants is to scatter them where there’s already space, from laying them directly on a shelf in your living room to placing them on a bathroom window sill. Decorating with air plants doesn’t have to be complicated.

I hope the following ideas and displays set the scene for your decorative masterpiece.

Using Decorative Plates

By combining the beauty of intricately designed plates with the natural charm of air plants, you can create a captivating display that adds a touch of elegance and life to any space.

The key to successfully using decorative plates with air plants is to choose plates with a shallow center and slightly raised rim, which allows the plants to sit comfortably without collecting excess moisture.

When selecting decorative plates consider the overall aesthetic of your space and choose designs that complement your existing decor. Vintage plates with delicate patterns or modern plates with bold geometric shapes can work well depending on your home decor and style.

You can also mix and match different plate designs and sizes to create a dynamic and visually appealing arrangement like this one …

Decorating plates with various air plants
Photo credit: Jessica’s Indoor Jungle

One of the benefits of using decorative plates with air plants is the flexibility they offer in terms of display options. You can hang plates on a wall using plate hangers, creating a vertical garden effect, or arrange them on shelves, tables, or mantels for more traditional displays.

By grouping several plates you can create a stunning focal point that draws the eye and adds depth to your space.

Glass Vases and Bowls

Glass vases and bowls offer a sleek and contemporary approach to displaying air plants. You can choose from a variety of shapes and sizes, such as spherical terrariums, elongated cylinders, or shallow dishes, depending on the size of your plants and the desired effect.

By grouping several glass vessels, you can create a striking display that adds depth and dimension to your space, while also providing a beautiful contrast between the smooth, clear glass and the organic texture of your air plants.

Glass vase terrarium decoration
Photo credit: Cherry Ong

Whether displayed on a windowsill, shelf, or as a centerpiece on a table, glass vases, and bowls offer a versatile and elegant solution for showcasing your air plant collection, elevating their natural beauty, and creating captivating focal points.

Rope Themed Displays

Rope-themed displays offer a rustic approach to showcasing air plants, creating visually striking and texturally rich arrangements. By incorporating various types of rope, such as jute, hemp, or cotton, you can craft a display that exudes a bohemian or coastal vibe, depending on your preferred style.

One popular method is to create a hanging planter by knotting or braiding the rope and leaving open spaces for air plants to nestle within. This technique allows your plants to hang freely with their leaves cascading downwards. You can also experiment with weaving your plants between the rope’s fibers.

The natural color of the rope complements the green hues of the plants in this display.

Crystal air plant decorations
Photo credit: Sck Gifts

Regardless of the method you choose a rope-themed display adds a touch of warmth and character to your space while providing an eye-catching way to showcase your air plant collection.

Decorative Christmas Tree Tillandsias

I love this air plant Christmas Tree. It’s such a fun and festive way to display your air plants during the holiday season. The internal structure can be any cone-shaped object, a small plastic bottle, or even an empty kitchen towel roll with holes poked in the sides.

I use thick bonsai wire coiled into a spiraling cone shape for the internal base structure, which can be twisted to accommodate different-sized air plants.

Start by arranging your plants in a spiral pattern around the base, spacing them evenly to create a full and lush appearance. Gently insert your Tillandsias into the internal structure being careful not to damage their leaves.

You can add a touch of holiday charm by adorning your Tillandsia trees with miniature ornaments, such as small Christmas balls or tiny bits of tinsel. I guess you could add fairy lights but I think this display looks awesome already.

Christmas tree air plant display
Photo credit: Air Plant Supply Co.

This innovative and low-maintenance approach to holiday decorations is sure to impress guests and is a conversation starter that combines the beauty of nature with the magic of the holiday season.

Decorating Terrariums With Air Plants

When selecting a terrarium for your air plants choose one with an open design that allows for plenty of ventilation. Air plants need good air circulation to thrive. Glass globes, geometric shapes, or even repurposed mason jars can all make excellent vessels for your terrarium.

The combination of air plants and glass enables you to create captivating self-contained worlds that showcase the unique texture and form of these fascinating plants. The slightly darker and thicker distorted glass in this terrarium looks amazing.

Decorative terrarium for small Tillandsias
Photo credit: Terrabella Flowers

To create your display, you could start by adding a layer of decorative sand, pebbles, or shells to the bottom of your terrarium. Then gently place your air plants on top and include other elements such as mosses, lichens, and driftwood to enhance the overall appearance.

Creating DIY Home Decor Displays

Creating DIY home decor air plant displays can be fun and very rewarding. The possibilities are endless – the type of display and choice of materials comes down to personal preference.

I like using weathered or distressed pieces of wood such as reclaimed barn wood or driftwood as the foundation of my displays. These materials provide a warm and textured backdrop that complements the organic shape and form of air plants.

One or more pieces of driftwood attached to a wall with Tillandsias growing on them will also look beautiful. You can use small amounts of waterproof glue, fishing line, or wire to mount your plants, or nestle them into the natural crevices in the wood.

If you’re feeling more creative you can repurpose rustic items such as vintage birdcages or old picture frames to create unique planters for your air plants. To further enhance the rustic vibe you can incorporate natural elements such as twine, burlap, twigs, or jute, like this display.

Circular air plant frame with twigs
Photo credit: Air Plant Artisan

By combining air plants with rustic home decor you create a space that feels grounded, inviting, and connected to nature. It adds a sense of tranquility and simplicity to your home or office spaces.

Making Air Plant Christmas Trees

This is another wonderful creation by Daniel Goh from Air Plant Artisan. This beautiful air-plant Christmas Tree looks awesome and is another example of how a simple yet clever idea can look amazing.

Rather than creating a frame from scratch for the main supporting structure you could use an old artificial Christmas tree frame or buy one second-hand. Once you’ve removed the needles you’ll end up with a similar structure to this one.

Air plant Christmas tree decoration
Photo credit: Air Plant Artisan

How you decorate your tree is entirely up to you of course. You can adorn your tree with miniature ornaments, glass balls, and even delicate fairy lights to cast a warm and magical glow. Air Plant Christmas Trees are a unique and enchanting way to celebrate the holiday season.

Decorative Tillandsia Trees

Creating Tillandsia trees with multiple plants mounted on branches or driftwood is one of my favorite ways to showcase air plants. Although there’s no such thing as an “air plant tree” in nature (some can grow as tall as 5-6′ when in bloom though) a vertically positioned branch or driftwood with Tillys growing on it can mimic nature and will look awesome.

I recommend using driftwood or a gnarled branch that has an interesting shape and texture. Safely support the piece of wood and then arrange your plants in a visually appealing manner, varying their heights and positions to create a tree-like silhouette.

Tillandsia plants growing on wood
Photo credit: Fairy Lands Keeper

You can use different species and sizes of Tillandsias to add depth and dimension to your display. Gently attach your plants to the wood using waterproof adhesive or by securing them with small amounts of fishing line or bonsai wire.

The natural form of the wood combined with the organic shape of the plants results in a living sculpture that brings nature indoors.

Wedding and Event Air Plant Displays

Air plants offer a unique and enchanting option for wedding and event displays. These versatile plants can be incorporated into centerpieces, bouquets, and even worn as living jewelry.

Air plants can also be nestled into boutonnieres (buttonhole decorations) adding an unexpected and organic touch to traditional floral arrangements.

For a stunning centerpiece, you can combine Tillandsias with candles, crystals, glass, dried plants, or other decorative elements to create a magical atmosphere.

Wedding/Event decor with air plants
Photo credit: Air Plants Boutique

For a truly memorable display, you can create living jewelry pieces such as pendant necklaces or hair accessories by attaching small air plants to jewelry fixings.

The natural beauty and low-maintenance nature of air plants make them an ideal choice for wedding and event displays as they can be enjoyed long after the special day has ended serving as a lasting reminder of the celebration.

Wire Grid Arrangements

Wire grid arrangements offer a modern and minimalist approach to displaying air plants. To create this type of display start by selecting a suitable wire grid or mesh panel from a local craft store or builder’s merchant.

Wire grid arrangements can be hung on an internal or external wall or between two posts in your yard or garden. You may need professional help with mounting your grid as they can get quite heavy, particularly after watering your plants.

Large air plant wire grid display
Photo credit: Terraisopod

Gently attach your air plants to the grid using small amounts of wire or fishing line. The grid provides a sleek and uniform backdrop that allows the natural beauty of the air plants to take center stage.

You can vary the placement and density of your plants to create a visually interesting pattern or design.

Simple Yet Stunning

Decorating with air plants doesn’t have to be complicated. Tillandsias lend themselves to simple yet visually appealing displays that showcase their natural beauty.

One easy and effective idea is to place a single air plant inside a clear glass ornament, creating a mini terrarium that can be hung or displayed on any surface.

Another option and minimalist approach is to place a few air plants on a white or neutral-colored tray or plate, letting their unique forms take center stage. Alternatively, a colorful tray or flower pot base with numerous plants can look equally amazing.

Air plants in a garden saucer
Photo credit: Mappins Nursery

Another simple idea is to create a hanging display by attaching air plants to a length of fishing line or wire and suspending them at varying heights.

These simple ideas prove that less is often more when it comes to showcasing the innate beauty of air plants.

Why not challenge yourself and create another decorative masterpiece? You’ll find inspiration in my ideas for air plants article including displays and examples.

Author - Stephen Little
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