Making an air plant terrarium is a fun and easy thing to do. However, terrariums are usually closed containers that allow you to grow plants in a controlled environment. Air plants though need good air circulation to thrive; therefore, a closed terrarium is not ideal.
That said, an open terrarium or other form of glass container will make an attractive display where your air plants can flourish. If you’re wondering how to make a terrarium with air plants I show you step by step below.
This article is not about cutting glass and gluing a terrarium together. Instead, I will show you the most popular materials Tillandsia lovers use to make terrariums and what they place inside to make them look attractive.
From wine glasses to purpose-built terrariums there’s a wide range of objects to choose from and what you place inside comes down to personal choice – sand, gravel, colored stones, moss, and even lichens.
How to Build a Terrarium for Tillandsias
Building a terrarium for air plants is relatively easy. Keep these 7 steps in mind and then browse the photos below for inspiration.
- Select a terrarium by size and shape
- Choose an appropriate material, rope, wire, fishing line, etc, if you intend to hang your terrarium
- Choose a suitable base layer if you want one such as sand, moss, gravel, pebbles, etc
- Select your air plants carefully by size and shape – the Ionantha varieties are very popular
- When placing your plants inside the terrarium make sure their underparts are not buried
- Position your terrarium in a suitable location with good airflow and indirect bright light
- Monitor your little green friends and soak them weekly.
My favorite terrariums for air plants are hanging globes and teardrops. A collection of three or more will look awesome in any location.
Before looking at the terrariums below I thought I would cover two frequently asked questions and dispell these myths …
Can You Grow Air Plants in a Terrarium?
Yes, you can grow air plants in a terrarium as long as you open the terrarium daily to refresh the air inside or by choosing a partially open terrarium. For example, as shown in the photos below, most purpose-built terrariums for air plants are sold with one or more permanent openings for air to circulate.
You’ll often find geometric and framed air plant terrariums are designed deliberately to exclude at least one of the glass panels to allow air to pass in and out freely.
How Do I Plant an Air Plant Terrarium?
I am often asked “How do I plant an air plant terrarium” by people who haven’t kept Tillandsias before. It’s a common and reasonable question for beginners as it’s hard to believe that air plants don’t need soil to grow or survive.
Because air plants don’t need soil they can be placed on top of any dry object or substrate. You can even place air plants directly onto glass and they will be happy enough without a base layer.
Therefore, you are not “planting air plants” as such. Instead, you are simply placing them in your preferred location.
I hope the following ideas and displays will get your creative juices flowing and help you to make your perfect air plant terrarium.
Gravel Based Terrariums
Using gravel in your terrarium can be a stylish and effective way to display your air plants. Gravel comes in different shapes, sizes, and colors so it comes down to personal preference when selecting which gravel to use.
If you’re feeling creative you could mix different types of gravel for a more unique appearance. I like the combination of gravel and contrasting rocks in this photo.
Ensure your air plants are not buried in the gravel, they need good air circulation, particularly around the base of the plant to prevent mold and rot.
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Lichens and Terrariums
Lichens and air plants are both fascinating organisms that can thrive in similar environments. However, they have different biological characteristics and care requirements. Therefore, in most cases, enthusiasts use dead/dried lichens in their terrariums.
Lichens are very popular in air plant terrariums. I prefer the natural green or brown appearance of lichens, however, some people like to spray them with different colors.
Lichens can be used to create elaborate displays. However, a teardrop or globe terrarium with a bed of lichens and 1-3 Ionantha varieties resting on top, as displayed in the photo above, will create a wonderful display.
Colored Stones and Pebbles in Terrariums
Colored stones and pebbles can be used in terrariums to create contrasting displays that show off your air plants. This partially open terrarium with two different colored stones is eye-catching and contrasts well with the color of the plants …
I have no idea why but colored stones and pebbles usually look awesome in geometric terrariums. It must be something to do with the contrasting straight lines of the terrarium and the random stone shapes.
Dried Moss in an Air Plant Terrarium
Around the edges of this terrarium are several clusters of moss which add a darker color that contrasts well with the air plants and lichens. If you prefer a simpler set-up than the one below you could use dried moss on its own and place it at the bottom of a globe or teardrop terrarium and simply position your air plants on top.
The above display uses a combination of natural materials to create a mini garden. By using a combination of materials they have managed to create depth within the terrarium and a semi-natural-looking display.
Shell and Beach-themed Terrariums
Beach-themed terrariums are very popular and often created with a combination of sand and shells. However, the following example takes the beachy vibe to a whole new level. This shell-based display in what is essentially a glass box is both elegant and stylish.
There is no sand in this display but the selection of different colored and shaped shells with a carefully chosen range of air plants in the background is stunning.
Many garden centers sell beach-themed hanging globe terrariums with a single Tillandsia Ionantha inside. They often come with a sand base, a mini umbrella, one or two shells, and a tiny deckchair to complete the beach scene.
As you can see from the examples on this page displaying air plants can be fun and relatively easy. For more tips and tricks on how to display Tillandsias we have lots of articles on this website.
Sand Based Terrariums
Sand makes for an attractive base layer in an air plant terrarium and your plants can be placed directly on top. In nature, some species of air plants grow above the sand layer so it’s unlikely your plants will come to any harm as long as the sand remains dry.
I like the natural look below. However, you could use several different colors of sand to create a layered effect or swirling waves within the base layer which can look quite funky.
A small collection of different-sized terrariums, like the one above, can look very attractive. This display has a rustic beachy feel and looks fantastic.
Mixing and Matching Materials
I thought I would finish with this terrarium because it’s a great example of what you can achieve by mixing and matching various materials. The following display is a hodgepodge of different items that conflict in many ways but for some reason, they also work well together.
It just goes to show that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder and we are only limited by our imaginations.
Most importantly, get creative and have fun. This is also a good way of inspiring young children and introducing them to the benefits of plants and natural materials in the home.
Making air plant terrariums can be great fun for all the family and it’s less messy than gardening with soil.
You can even buy Tillandsia terrarium kits that contain everything you need such as stones, mosses, air plants, and globes, making for a fun and educational activity.
If you intend to hang your terrariums, you should read my article on how to hang air plants. Teardrop and sphere-shaped globes look amazing when hung from a wall or ceiling.
