Crazy About Air Plants! Part 2: Decor ideas

Now that we're acclimated to the titillating Tillandsia plant and the ease with which they grow, let's talk about things you can do with air plants:

1.  Hang them from a string!

Available on Etsy by GemsoftheSoil

As seen here

2.  Put them in a shell!

Available on Etsy by PetitBeast

Available on Etsy by robincharlotteStudio

3.  Put them in a branch!

Available on Etsy by Plantzilla

Available on Etsy by seaandasters

4.  Make a weird sculpture!

Available on Etsy by EarthSeaWarrior

Same seller, equally awesome.

5.  Give them a tiny terrarium home!

Available on Etsy by MidnightinSeattle

Available on Etsy by seaandasters

6. Make a little wreath!

Available on Etsy by Peacocktaco

Excellent how-to here

7.  Put them anywhere there is space for them!

Available on Etsy by tinyterra

I am rather partial to this cute idea -- on Etsy by saltandginger

One more by EarthSeaWarrior on Etsy

You see?  The sky is the limit!  The world is your oyster!  Use your imagination!

If you want to start from scratch, I recommend Michael's or a similar craft store or the internet.

If you want to buy an air plant creation already made -- screw creativity! -- then many Etsy users are willing to sell you their creations at a nominal price (and I have given you many options above).

If you are somewhere in between on your air plant skills, a good third option is.......  Armstrong's Garden Center (my favorite place they are so lovely!).  I went there this past week for a new aphid killer in my continual quest to win the war against those despicable mini-terrorists and was surprised to discover that this ubiquitous garden center have gotten in on this air plant fad.  They sell air plants pre-stuffed in shells, tiny pots, and equipment for terrariums including the glass and gravel, as well as props such as tiny chairs if you would like to make a miniature garden (and ooohh is that a world of it's own).

It's not terribly cheap -- a glass plus some gravel is $13.99, a small tillandsia is $5.99 and a large up to $19.99 which is twice as much as what they cost at The Jungle, but it is an easy option.

Hope that was helpful!  As we lead up to this Easter weekend, let's be thankful for all we've been given.  :)

An aside, to listen:  Sufjan Stevens "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Crazy about Air Plants! Part 1: What + How

Perhaps you have read this blog and you're thinking, "Michelle, I love plants but I've got a black thumb and all my plants die" or "I am too busy to care for anything" or "I don't have enough space" or "I don't have any dirt -- no yard, no patio, no planters, not even a kitchen window!"

WELL, you are in luck, because there is a plant for everyone, and there is a plant for you.  And it is called the air plant, otherwise known as Tillandsia.

Not only is it literally the easiest plant in the world to grow and take care of, it is also very trendy at the moment.  I present to you the crop top of plants:

So hot right now...

There are actually several different kinds.  You may remember these little guys as the Tillandsia I bought from The Jungle (available for $3 a piece).  There are also several larger varieties (also available at the Jungle for $10 each).

Big mama

If you pay attention, you will notice these plants everywhere -- they are often in installations at restaurants and shops (like Tinga for all my Westside LA people), or being sold in tiny glass bulbs at shops (like West Elm or the Japanese trinket shops on Sawtelle), or on Pinterest.

This variety is often on living walls

And for good reason... they are really easy to grow.  In fact, it is this simple:

Soil--
They do not need soil.  Put them anywhere

Light--
They prefer filtered (indirect) light, so they can go almost anywhere in your house.

Water--
They need minimal water -- some sources recommend a light mist every few days and others (namely The Sunset Western Garden Book which is my favorite gardening guide) recommend a drench every few days, or a soak if the plant gets too dry.  Note that this is contrary to the myth that these plants don't need any water... they are plants, after all.

Fertilizer--
Only if you're feeling very motivated... then you can spritz them with diluted liquid fertilizer.

Easy peasy!

Interesting texture, like grey scales

Some of these plants will bloom brightly, after which point they die (like my other monocarpic plant, the Aeonium), unless they have made side shoots.  One of my little Tillandsia has already made a side shoot:

Baby

So next time you want to buy a plant for your plant-killer friend or baby mama friend or studying for the oral boards friend (oh wait, that's me...), pick up an air plant!  Stay tuned next week for Tillandsia inspiration...

In the meantime, here's a song to pick up your day: Janelle Monae "What is Love" -- I'm kind of obsessed with it at the moment.  Hug your loved one today!