Air plants are an easy houseplant to grow. With just a few simple tips for caring for them you’ll soon become addicted and want to buy them by the truckload.
Seriously, I’ve just recently gotten into the air plant craze (it’s a THING, you know), but I LOVE the carefree nature of these crazy little guys.
And I love that you can just toss them different places.
They’re FUN and that’s what gardening is all about!
I’ve got a little growth on my back. Is it noticeable?
Caring For Air Plants
- As the name implies, they like their air. Circulation around the plant is key, so don’t cram them in a super tight or enclosed space.
- They are unique in that they do not need dirt. In fact if you plant them in dirt, the root area will rot.
- They do need water though. Submerge them in a bowl of water for 20-30 minutes once a week, remove the plant and let dry butt end up. When dry, you can return your plant to where it normally lives in your house.
- Do not use tap water (they don’t like the chlorine). Filtered water or rain water is best. Distilled water is a no-no, there are not enough nutrients left in it.
- Protect them from full direct sunlight, they prefer a bright indirect light.
- They are hardy in zones 9 or higher (meaning they can live outside year long in those areas). They are normally grown as house plants in other areas or outside just during the warmer months (50 degrees or higher).
- If you keep them outside, watch out for birds who think they’re nifty and want to drag them off to build nests with them. Ask me how I know.
- You can buy them online in different sizes and varieties from Amazon, Air Plant Supply Company or Plant Oddities and they should be available at your local garden center also (because they’re a THING, I tell you).
How To Display Air Plants
Holy moly, where can’t you display them!
You can buy the hanging glass terrariums if you want that look. But I like to just casually toss them into odd places around the house.
In my Farmhouse Garden Planter Ideas I showed you my little red dump truck toting around an air plant.
You can toss them in a typewriter.
Place them in a vintage planter.
Plop them on a wooden spool.
Wedge them in a vintage magazine rack.
I think I would need quite a few more air plants for this look. Twenty more of them and I’d start a trend!
Other Ideas For Displaying Your Air Plants:
- vintage bed springs
- shells
- wooden logs
- top of candlesticks
- stuck in chicken wire
- mounted to a craft store wood slice
- seriously, just about anywhere will work
The skies the limit . . . have fun . . . be creative!
Have you gotten the air plant fever? Where do you display yours?
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
KIMBERLY TRIPLETT
are they poison to cats? thanks, kim
Pam
Good question, I didn’t even think of that! From googling it, it appears that they are non-toxic to pets and here is an article from a cat site about it http://www.catfaeries.com/blog/which-air-cleaning-houseplants-are-safe-for-cats/. I lost my kitty two years ago 🙁 and forgot how much he liked to munch on things!
Brenda
Is that find a cow or a cat?
Pam
Cow. It’s one of those milk creamers for your coffee.
Gina
I think I’m going to have to go get some of those…where did you buy yours from?
Pam
I bought mine locally at a garden center, but if I buy more I’m going to get them from Amazon. I saw this one on Amazon and they give you 5 different plants http://amzn.to/1SOU8ER and they got fairly good reviews. And $12.75 for 5 plants is a pretty good deal (I think I paid $4 for each of mine).
Penny
For a beautiful web site for air plants check our plantoddities.com
Pam
Thanks for the tip. I’ll list you as a source up above in case people don’t read your comment 🙂
Harriett
thanks I’ve been needing just this very thing!
Harriett
thanks, I’ve been needing this very thing
Lesa
Great post and thank you. I too have become enthralled w/air plants. i display them in the most unexpected places and really enjoy the care free part……i even removed the hair from a med. size old troll doll (remember those) and put a plant it in. really cute. Now i’m reading about stag horn ferns and how to display them too. Are u into those? if so, please share w/us.
QUESTION: does it make a difference if the ‘butt’ of the air plant is in or out of the water? on the first pic above i wasn’t sure. oh, special thanks ref the correct water to use….i had been using tap water until now. thanks again and Luv the blog. keep it comin’.
Pam
I have never grown stag horn ferns. Yet. They had some at the garden center and they looked interesting, but they were a little more expensive than the air plants so I haven’t picked up one yet.
You can soak the “butt” end. In that photo my bowl wasn’t large enough to get the whole thing in 🙂 It’s just really important to make sure you dry them upside down so the water has a chance to drain out and doesn’t sit there. One thing I forgot to mention and I’ll add to the post is you cannot use distilled water on the plants because distilled water doesn’t have any nutrients left in it. I’ll add that now, just in case someone takes my “filtered” water to mean distilled 🙂 I’ll let you know if I get one of the stag horns!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
These look like fun! And I love how they look in the vintage containers…that cow looks so great! Thanks for sharing, Pam…and thanks too for your inspiration at the yard sale finds blog hop!
Pam
You’re welcome! The yard sale hop was fun today! I hope people come over to visit!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt
I have yet to try this way of using plants! I’m interested though!
Brenda
Pam
You have to buy one! They’re just fun and pretty much care free!
dee
I just bought one at the garden center a couple of weeks ago but they told me to mist it once a week . . . with your care tips I’m wondering if misting will be enough water. I think I’m going with you on this one 🙂
Pam
I’ve seen people say to mist them, but then occasionally dunk them in the water. Or it just might be that your weather out there is “moister” than around here and you won’t need the dunking?
I saw on the news that you were supposed to have a good weekend. Enjoy it! I’ll be sitting here under an umbrella with my sweatshirt on!
taryterre
I am definitely bedazzled by AIR PLANTS. I see one in my future. Love your creative way to display them.
nancy comer
Air plants, who knew? Not me! So interesting!
I just found your blog over at Nana Diana’s!
Happy day~
Nancy
Pam
Welcome Nancy!!! Glad to see you here 🙂
The Houseplant Guru
Cute ideas for displaying your air plants!
Pam
Thank you! I’m sort of addicted to air plants right now – in case you couldn’t tell 🙂
Vickie
Pretty clever ideas! I think I’d put mine in a birdcage because they kind of look like they could get up and walk around. hehe
Jean Goza
Pam – Thank you for your commentary on air plants. I just recently purchased a couple at an orchid show and I just love them. I was also directed to just mist but they don’t seem to be getting enough moisture so I will go with the weekly soaking. Thanks also for sharing so much with all of us. I always learn something from reading your blog, find inspiration, and always come away with a smile. You are awesome!
Pam
Ah, thank you! You made a chilly overcast day a bit brighter!
Ellie
On collected oyster shells and driftwood from the beach… I love the natural look!
Julie
I would like to use some in driftwood and I think there is even a plant glue so you can attach them, but I have wondered about how to water them when they are attached. Any ideas?