Tillandsia, aka “air plants” are quite popular right now. We all love the fact that these epiphytes are interesting in texture, don’t require soil to grow, and have colorful flowers. But some people wonder how they might display and grow air plants to best advantage. Here is a suggestion.

I wanted to display mine so I could see them well, which will also remind me to water them regularly! Just because they are called “air plants” doesn’t mean that they can survive on air alone. The most common cause of death for these epiphytes is that people forget to water them, especially when houses are warmed by central heating or wood stoves in the winter. So making an attractive display not only shows the plants off, but is a visual reminder to sprinkle the plants every four days or so.

I thought that putting these plants on lichen covered sticks was a natural combination, and doing it so that the display could be taken to the kitchen sink frequently for spritzing seemed to make sense. Note: I pruned these off of live trees so that the branches are supple and bendable…if you pick up dead wood it will be more brittle and likely to break when you try and bend the twigs into each other.

I found an attractive pot and some twiggy, lichen covered branches that were about two feet tall. I stuck the bottoms of the branches into the empty pot.

I found an attractive pot and some twiggy, lichen covered branches that were about two feet tall. I stuck the bottoms of the branches into the empty pot.

 

I gathered the twigs together at the top and wrapped a wire around them. Next I I filled the pot with Hydroton, which are terra-cotta marbles used for hydroponic growing. (They are also decorative and great for top dressing and combining with orchid bark, so one of my must-have-on-hand products. Link below.)

I gathered the twigs together at the top and wrapped a wire around them. Next I I filled the pot with Hydroton, which are terra-cotta marbles used for hydroponic growing. (They are also decorative and great for top dressing and combining with orchid bark, so one of my must-have-on-hand products. Link below.)

 

You can order Hydroton here:
  Orchid/Hydroponic Grow Media – 2 lbs.

Next I wove any of the smaller twigs and branches into the main structure so that it was fairly narrow.

Next I wove any of the smaller twigs and branches into the main structure so that it was fairly narrow.

I put some of the Tillandsia down low, on the Hydroton, and others in and among the twigs.

I put some of the Tillandsia down low, on the Hydroton, and others in and among the twigs.

Those that were higher in the branches were not only tucked into the twigs but secured with small pieces of green wire.

Those that were higher in the branches were not only tucked into the twigs but secured with small pieces of green wire.

Not only is this a natural and stylish way to display these plants, but the entire construction is light weight and easy to move to the kitchen sink for watering.

Not only is this a natural and stylish way to display these plants, but the entire construction is light weight and easy to move to the kitchen sink for watering.

Twice a week the pot can go into the sink to get sprayed with the spritzer. Done!

Twice a week the pot can go into the sink to get sprayed with the spritzer. Done!

 

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