Small air plant displays are a charming and versatile way to add a touch of greenery to any space. Small Tillandsias can be showcased in various holders and containers such as glass terrariums, seashells, or miniature pots, making them perfect for displaying on desks, shelves, and windowsills.
Easy to care for and highly decorative, smaller air plants can bring a fresh and stylish element to your home or office space.
Tillandsia enthusiasts often fall in love with the popular Ionantha varieties and hybrids due to their small sizes and incredible colors. However, there are hundreds of small species of Tillandsias.
Displaying Small Air Plants in Your Home
Displaying small air plants in your home is an easy way to add a touch of greenery and natural beauty to your interior decor. I believe simplicity is often the best approach. However, you can of course get as creative as you like.
Tillandsias are known for their ability to grow without soil, making them incredibly versatile and low-maintenance. Their unique appearance adds a striking visual interest to any room, whether displayed individually or in groups.
The following species are known for their compact size, making them ideal for small air plant displays …
- Ionantha Guatemala
- Albertiana
- Tenuifolia
- Argentina
- Retorta
- Filifolia
There are of course many other varieties and species to choose from. I recommend looking at the numerous varieties of Tillandsia Ionantha, including Fuego, Mexican, and Rubra, and my favorite the stunning Ionantha Druid.
Here are some of the best ways to showcase small air plants.
Geometric Holders
Geometric holders are decorative structures designed to display air plants in an aesthetically pleasing manner. These holders come in various geometric shapes and can be made from different materials, such as wood, metal, ceramic, or even 3D-printed plastic.
They feature clean lines and simple geometric shapes like cubes, pyramids, triangles, or more complex polyhedrons, which can add a modern or minimalist touch to your home decor.
They can be hung from the ceiling, mounted on walls, or placed on flat surfaces, adding a contemporary flair to your home.
Log Slices
Using log slices as a base for displaying air plants is a popular and creative way to showcase these unique plants. The natural wood surface adds a rustic feel to your decor while providing a stable foundation for your Tillandsias.
Log slices with air plants can be displayed on tables, shelves, or even mounted on walls. They make excellent centerpieces for dining or coffee tables and can add a touch of natural charm to any room.
You can create interesting compositions by arranging multiple air plants on a single log slice or by combining your Tillys with other decorative elements like mosses, lichens, or even small figurines.
Miniature Pots
Miniature pots come in countless designs, from simple and minimalistic to intricate and ornate. Choose a design that reflects your style and complements the overall look of your home or office space.
Miniature pots also come in various materials, such as ceramic, terracotta, glass, metal, and wood. Choose a material and color that matches your surrounding decor or go for something opposite to inject a splash of color or focal point.
You can create visually appealing displays for small air plants by grouping several miniature pots in an arrangement or by adding pots of varying heights, sizes, and colors. Your options are endless.
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Crystal Containers
Using crystal containers to display small air plants creates a luxurious and eye-catching arrangement that elevates their natural beauty. The combination of the crystal’s unique appearance and the air plant’s natural charm results in a stunning piece of decor that adds a touch of sophistication to any space.
The transparent nature of crystals allows light to pass through them creating a stunning visual effect. I recommend placing your crystal containers near a light source such as a window or a soft artificial light to maximize this effect.
Before buying your crystal containers ensure they will be the correct size and shape for your air plants. The containers should be large enough to accommodate your plants without overcrowding them and allow for proper air circulation.
Wooden Hangers
Wooden air plant hangers are a popular and versatile way to display Tillandsias while adding a natural, rustic touch to your home. Wooden hangers come in various designs and can be hung from ceilings, walls, beams, and shelves.
They can be made from any type of wood such as pine, oak, walnut, or cedar. Each wood type has its unique grain pattern, color, and texture, allowing you to choose one that best suits your home or office space.
Wooden air plant hangers offer a beautiful and natural way to showcase your Tillandsias while adding a touch of warmth and texture. With the variety of designs available, you can easily find hangers that complement your taste and create stunning, eye-catching displays.
Sea Urchin Hangers for Small Tillandsias
Sea urchin hangers provide a unique and beautiful way to display small Tillandsias. They create a coastal-inspired look in your home decor. The natural, intricate structure of sea urchin shells makes them an ideal vessel for showcasing small to medium-sized air plants.
The size of the shell should be proportionate to the size of your Tillandsia, ensuring that the plant fits comfortably without falling out. The plant should fit snugly, but be careful not to damage its delicate leaves.
I recommend you use either a small amount of non-toxic glue or a fishing line to secure your plants in place.
To create a sea urchin hanger, attach a piece of string, fishing line, or thin wire to the shell. You can do this by threading the string through the shell’s natural holes or by using a small amount of glue to secure the string to the top of the shell. Ensure the knot or glue is sturdy enough to support the weight of the shell and plant.
Glass Terrariums and Globe Planters
Glass terrariums and globe planters are fantastic for creating small air plant displays. These transparent containers create a stunning visual effect, allowing you to showcase your plants from all angles, making these containers a popular choice among plant enthusiasts and creative individuals.
It’s essential to use open terrariums and globe planters with ventilation holes. Air plants require good air circulation to thrive. Closed containers can lead to excess humidity and moisture buildup, which can harm your plants. I particularly like teardrop terrariums like this one …
When arranging your air plants in terrariums or globe planters, consider the plant’s sizes, shapes, and colors. You can create a visually appealing composition by varying the heights and textures of your plants and/or by adding small pebbles, driftwood, and lichens. These decorative elements will add depth and interest to your arrangements.
Fridge Magnets for Tiny Air Plants
Using fridge magnets to display tiny air plants is a clever and space-saving way to add a touch of greenery to your kitchen or any room with a magnetic surface. This unique display method allows you to showcase your miniature Tillandsias in a fun way.
Remember to choose strong magnets that can securely hold the weight of your air plants. You can create a grid, spiral, or random arrangement with your magnets depending on your preferred style. Experiment with different layouts to find the one that best suits your space.
This type of display only suits smaller species or young air plants 1-2 years old. Tilly enthusiasts often frown upon this type of display because it seems so unnatural, but hey, each to their own.
For further information on displaying air plants, we have many detailed articles.
Cork Bark Displays
Cork bark is a sustainable and eco-friendly material for displaying air plants. Cork is harvested from the outer bark of the cork oak tree, making it an excellent choice for plant enthusiasts who value environmentally-conscious home decor.
Air plants can be easily attached to cork bark using various methods. One popular technique is to use a small dab of non-toxic waterproof glue to secure the base of the plant to the bark. Alternatively, you can use a fishing line or thin wire to tie the plant onto the face of the bark.
Create an awesome cork bark display like the one below by arranging multiple air plants on a single piece of bark or by using several smaller pieces to create a collage effect.
Cork bark displays can be mounted on walls, placed on tabletops, or even suspended from the ceiling. For wall-mounted displays, use picture hangers or strong adhesive strips to securely attach the bark to the wall.
For tabletop displays, simply place the bark on a flat surface or incorporate a small stand to prop it up at an angle.
Small Air Plant Stands and Holders
Small air plant stands and holders offer endless possibilities for showcasing your Tillandsias stylishly and practically. By selecting stands and holders that complement your decor and the unique characteristics of your air plants, you can create captivating displays.
Small Tilly stands and holders are perfect for creating charming tabletop or window sill displays. I recommend mixing and matching different air plant species to add depth and interest.
Some air plant holders are designed to be wall-mounted, allowing you to create vertical gardens or living walls. These holders often feature small cups or pockets to securely hold your Tillandsias.
Try experimenting with different arrangements, such as clustering stands of varying heights or creating a linear display along a window sill or mantel. Play with the placement and orientation of your air plants to achieve a balanced and eye-catching composition.
Are you addicted to air plants and need more ideas and inspiration? Have you considered creating a large air plant display for your home or garden?
