Hanging Air Plants Indoors For Healthy And Stylish Spaces

Air plants are chic green décor items. If you know how to take care of air plants, they’ll take care of you. The indoor plants invigorate your home and office environments.

Air plants

New plants are high maintenance, but air plants are low maintenance. The plant species do not require soil. We’ll show you how easy they are to take care of and how they add style to indoor spaces.

The tillandsia air plant is easy to care for. It doesn’t need soil to live and is a low-maintenance indoor plant. There are over 450 types of air plant species.

What Are Air Plants?

An air plant is the little cousin to the pineapple. Both share similar features and are members of the Bromeliad family. In the wild, air plants grow on shrubs, bushes, and rocks. They spend their early growth absorbing water from tree surfaces.

Drier regions you’ll find air plants. Their native habitats include Central and South America. In the US, the plant species thrive in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida.

Air plants rely on trees for daily sustenance. During the air plant life cycle, they only bloom only once.  The blooming period is known as a bloom spike. Some bloom spikes last for a few months, while others last a week or two.

Stylish Air Plant Holders For 2022

The following air plant holders represent the latest in plant design and decor. We’ll show you the different varieties of holders and offer a few tips on how to care for the plants.

Single Terrarium Holder

Choosing An Air Plant Holder
CierraDesign

An open glass terrarium is the best home for an indoor air plant. As a general rule,walk in tub in a humid environment. If you hang them too close to a ceiling they will eventually die. Baby air plants need just the right amount of water. 

Geometric Air Plant Holder

Geometric Air Plant Holder

Chic and futuristic DIY air plant holders are it. Create geo-shaped holders with shiny brass rods.

When you own air plants, take advantage of indirect light sources. If you own mother plants, make sure they can absorb nutrients from a separate tree source. 

Air Plant Desk Stand

DIY Air Plant Stand

Air plant holders that look airborne create an adventuresome decor. Tie a floral wire to a wooden block for your base. Use a flexible wire and attach it to a boho block to match your modern desk.   

Jellyfish Air Plant Holder

https://craftinvaders.co.uk/how-to-make-adorable-air-plant-and-wire-jellyfish/
craftinvaders

Air plant care couldn’t be any easier. New plants will require less water than other plant species. You’ll have a great time caring for the tillandsia genus. When they bloom, you’ll enjoy their beautiful bright colors. 

In this example, hang the air plants upside down with jellyfish plant holders. Each holder has a circular base that hangs upside-down while the air plant points downward.

Air Plant Terrariums

Terrarium For Air Plants 

A small terrarium is a chic way to display an air plant. It will need room to grow and plenty of air. Think of a plant the way you would a dog. A healthy dog will protect their home much better than an unhealthy one.

How To Hang Air Plants

Tillandsia are popular. Caring for an air plant is simple. And there are many stylish ways you can use them to decorate your home.

Whether you display them in a terrarium, hang them with a fishing line, or in a glass bowl, air plants always look nice. 

Wall hanging air plant on a wooden slice

Although there are many different types of air plants and lots of different species, the most common one is Tillandsia. This is the symbol of air plants everywhere, representing more than 600 other species.

Air plants grow in Spanish moss, ball moss, broad needle leaf, Bartram’s air plant, Chinese evergreen, peace lily, snake plant, and weeping fig.

Brass diamond raindrop air plant

Air plant care is easy for all species. The plants require three things: light, air circulation, and water. First, air plants like filtered natural light. You’ll need to protect them from direct sunlight. During colder months, the plant species enjoy direct sunlight.

Brass Ball Air Plant Holder

If you choose a terrarium, one side should be a screen mesh so air can circulate through it. The best temperature for air plants is 50-90 Fahrenheit.

Air Plant Lifecycle

Cactopus air plant

When you first receive your air plant, soak it in distilled water for 30 minutes. You should water it every five days in dry conditions and every 10 days in humid environments. 

For healthy growth, use fertilizer twice a month. Curled or rolled leaves are the sign of a dehydrated plant.

DIY Mini-Wall Hangers

Black himmeli air plant

The plants receive nutrients from the atmosphere and grow on other plants or structures for support. Unlike parasite plants, they don’t harm other plants while anchoring themselves to their hosts. 

DIY Air Plant Wall Hangers

Wall hanging air plant natural

When air plants bloom, they make small pups. You can remove the buds when they’re around 1/3 or ½ the size of the mother plant. The mother plant will make way for her babies but leave a few more months or years.

DIY Air Plant Projects 

Here are a few DIY air plant projects that will inspire your next makeover.

Simple DIY Hanger

Hanging clay plant holder
delineateyourdwelling

Air plants can be displayed in different ways. A popular option is to hang them. You will need polymer clay, a rolling pin, and something to cut the clay,

Air Plant Copper Hangers

Copper plant hanger for air plants
Brit

You can easily make these copper hangers yourself using pipes, string, and wire. Measure and cut the thin copper pipes and then cut the string to size. Insert the string through each pipe and connect these to form a triangle shape using wire.

Then attach three longer pieces of pipe for the top section and three smaller ones for the bottom.

Geo-Plant Hangers

DIY geometric mobiles

These chic geometric air plant holders are made of coffee stirrers and wire. Their design is similar to that of the triangle copper hanger featured above.

After you cut the coffee stirrers to the desired length, cut wire and thread into four small pieces to form a square. Last, attach four larger pieces to the corners to make a pyramid-like shape. 

Clay Hanging Planters

Clay hanging air plant holders
Squirrellyminds

Clay hanging planters are fun and you can make them yourself however you want. Roll the clay and use a square cookie cutter to cut out a section. Cut that into two triangles. Use more clay to make a long rectangle.

Cut the triangle in half and then bend the rectangle along its edges. Put the other triangle on top to complete the form.

Macrame Air Plant Hanger

Colorful leather straps hanging air plants
Akailochiclife

Perhaps you’d also like the look of these macrame air plant hangers. The containers are sections of plastic Easter eggs but you can improvise with this part. To make the hanger, use faux suede cording or something similar. 

Hanging Glass Terrarium

Hanging air plant terrarium

The most popular option is this glass terrarium which you can hang with the fishing line. Inside the terrarium, you can put colored sand at the bottom, add pebbles, and put the air plant on top.

Hanging Brass Plant Holder

Brass air plant holder
Etsy

You can either put the air plant directly in this geometric holder or contain it in a planter. The inspiration comes from a traditional Finnish ornament made of straw or reeds. The holders are hung above dining tables.

Sphere Hanging Basket

Sphere Hanging Basket
Shopterrain

The Sphere hanging baskets let you mix and match your air plants for a lush display. They come in four different sizes and they pair with custom-fitted liners.

The baskets are made of steel with a rust patina and they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. 

DIY Papier-Mache Air Plant Pod

DIY paper mache air plant pod
The Merry Thought

Make papier-mache bowls to display air plants using balloons, flour, newspaper, paint, and string. First, make the balloon as large as you want, depending on the size of the bowl. Mix flour and water and cut strips of newspaper.

Dip them into the mixture and cover the balloon, leaving out a section. Let it dry overnight. Then add another layer of newspaper strips and let it dry. Pop the balloon and then paint the pod and watch your room come to life. 

Hanging Wall Planters

Hanging planters set of three

You can buy these chic hanging planters for both indoor and outdoor spaces. This is a set of three hanging planters available on Etsy. They measure around 3.5 inches in diameter with a 2.5 inches opening, and they’re handmade. 

Copper Couplers Plant Holders

Urban copper hanging pots

For cute baby air plants, try copper couplers as a display system. You’ll need a rail and hooks for that and these can be spray painted in any color you want. Drill two holes in each copper coupler and thread wire or twine through them to make a hanging loop.

Ceramic Plant Holder

Colorful ceramic hanging air plants pots

A ceramic air plant holder which can feature a variety of different colors. Because each of these pods is handmade, that means each one has unique characteristics. The sisal rope gives them a lot of character. 

Mini-Cone Plant Holders

Air plant hanging planter
Etsy

These mini cones are both cute and stylish, showcasing air plants in an elegant way. Their vibrant glaze color is given by the finishing process. The planters are fired in gas reduction and no two looks the same. They’re small, measuring only 2”.

DIY Copper Planters

Copper and cement air plant holder

Copper fittings are for those who prefer an industrial look. The back panel on which the copper fittings are displayed is made of concrete. Cotton rope lets you hang it wherever you want.

If you want, you can make something yourself and you’ll a mold which can have any form you want. 

DIY Glass Jar Planters

Mason jar air plants hanging

A simple and interesting handmade planter for air plants can come in the form of a glass jar. It’s the same idea when displaying candles. Wrap twine or cord around the mouth of the jar and then make a long strap that hangs from a tree.

Hanging Mason Jar Planters

Hanging mason jar planter with air plants

You can hang the Mason jars with rope or twine and attach them to wall-mounted hooks. You can put some small pebbles at the bottom of the jar or you can decorate it with shells and other things.

Air plants don’t need soil so replace it with anything you want or nothing at all.

DIY Felted Wood Bowls

Felted wool bowls

Although not designed for air plants, these felted wool bowls look beautiful. They look cozy and perfect for the colder months. Use them for cacti, aloe plants, or other species. They can be left empty and used for air plants as well.

Up-Cycled K-Cup Planters

Window hanging air plants
Werefarfromnormal

Small buckets can be used as containers for air plants or regular plants. You can hang these with a rope or cord. You can paint or decorate them in many interesting ways. For example, cover them with rope or decorating paper.

Table Air Plant Stands

Air plant stand for desk

Because air plants don’t require soil, you can have a lot of fun displaying them in a stand. You can make this with a small block of wood, a piece of wire, and a drill.

Make a hole at the center of the cube. Loop the wire around something cylindrical and then insert the straight end into the hole.

3D Printed Lego Air Plant Holder

Colorful lego terrarium
Brit

Air plants get their nutrients through leaves, not roots so you can replace the soil with pebbles. The container can be anything you want. It can be something as simple as a glass jar or as interesting as a 3D-printed pot.

You can decorate it with cute little Lego characters or some other ornaments.

Porcelain Air Plant Holders

3 faceted porcelain air plants pots
Etsy

You can even put them in vases and turn them into table centerpieces. This is a stylish collection of three faceted porcelain containers. One looks similar to a vase while the other two are pods designed for air plants.

The holders are handmade which makes each one unique.

DIY Triangle Air Plant Terrarium

Triangle wood air plant

If you’re looking for something rustic this triangle-shaped air plant terrarium would be a wonderful decor item. You can display it flat on a table or its side.

This example was designed for indoor use. The grain of the wood is different for each one and so does the color.

DIY Plant Cup Holders

Indoor air plants in mugs

You can get creative with air plants with a diverse collection. Use containers like glasses, teacups, dishes, and pods. The plants can have different forms, colors, or sizes and together make a cool display for a mantel or table.

DIY Bowl Plant Holders

Decorate the countertop with airplants
Resplendent Crow

Use air plants for a subtle touch of green on a console table or a desk. You can put a single air plant inside a glass bowl or terrarium. It can have small pebbles at the bottom.

Beads, sand, and other options can also look stylish and for a touch of color, you can also add a small ornament such as a tiny bird.

DIY Rock Plant Holder

Rock air plant display
Adorablest

Turn a rock into a pot for your air plant. You can keep the plant in place with a little bit of glue. The challenging part is  selecting a rock. Once you find what you’re looking for, glue the air plant to it.  You can use a hot glue gun, but wait a while for the glue to cool off.

DIY Air Plant Pots

Wood air plant pots
Almost Make Perfect

These cute air plant pots are made from large wooden doll heads dipped in dye. It’s possible to find alternatives. For example, use large wooden beads instead and drill holes in each one making sure you don’t go all the way through.

You can then dip them in paint or stain. For a subtle and natural look, try using tea.

DIY Air Plant Centerpiece

Air plant table centerpiece
Alice and Lois

An air plant centerpiece can be a very chic decoration for the dining table. The centerpiece can be made out of a repurposed wooden box. First, sand and paint the box or change its look however else you want.

Then put some river rocks inside and, in the end, insert the air plants to make a beautiful composition.

Tillandsia Garden Art

Tillandsia Garden Art
Joy Us Garden

Use a terracotta star bowl into a cozy home for your air plants. In case you can find a wooden ball with star-shaped holes, you can improvise with a bowl or something else.

The main idea is to have a container with several small openings so you can put an air plant in each one.

DIY Marbled Air Plant Holder

Marble air plant holder
Whydontyoumakeme

You can also make your clay pots. Mix black and white clay for a marbled effect. Of course, any other two colors would also work just as well. 

Combine the two colors and then roll the clay on a flat surface. Trace a circle in it and carve out a hole. Then give the piece any shape you want using an x-acto knife.

Air Plant Cube Stands

Palm tree wood block

Given how versatile and low maintenance air plants are, desk stands can also be a solution. These stands are 6 inches tall and have a cube-shaped wooden base. The plants are held with a wire that forms a loop at the top.

You can use the stands individually or mix and match them to create a set.

Air Plant Rock Garden

make your own mini air plant
A Charming Project

An air plant rock garden would be very easy to make using a small dish and a bunch of river rocks. First, select a dish that you want to use for the project. Clean it and then put some river rocks or pebbles in it.

After that, add some decorative things like shells or ornaments and put the air plant in as well.

Stone Slab Plant Holder

Air plants a natural way to design house

Give your desk a zen look with an air plant display made up of stacked rocks. It’s really easy to make something similar to this particular design.

Take a few rocks, preferably flat and of increasingly small dimensions. Stack them and place a small air plant on top. You can play with them when you need to relax your mind or when you’re bored.

DIY Mini Succulent Plants

Mini succulent clay planters
Burkatron

If you want to make clay pots, have fun designing them. To make pots that look like the ones in this example, use air-dry clay, small pots, a rolling pin, a craft knife, and spray varnish.

Roll out the clay and then wrap it around the pot. Trim the excess and smooth the edges with some water, and you’ll be set.

Pastel Plant Pots

Mini air plants with bold color

Make air plant pods or buy them at a store. Unlike other plants, the air plant species measure 1.5 inches to 2 inches in diameter.

Wall-Mounted Displays

Wall hanging air plants

Because of their small size, air plant species are easy to hang on a wall.  They don’t require direct sunlight and will thrive off of indirect sunlight. 

You don’t have to worry about watering air plants, which makes the ideal for wall spaces. Plus, they don’t require soil, which means your walls won’t get dirty.

Create a gallery wall with two air plants and add more if the setting calls for it.  Mark the spots on the wall where you want to place each one and then just them in place.

Triangle Plant Hangers

DIY wall hanging air plants
Homeyohmy

Wall-mounted air plant hangers add style to indoor spaces. The hangers are easy to make. All you need are square wooden dowels, suede lace, scissors, air plants, wire, and wire cutters.

Cut the dowels and wrap suede lace around the edges and make two knots. Hang this on the wall and then put an air plant on it.

Air Plant Frame

wire and frame air plants
Airplantman

Air plants are perfect for building vertical miniature gardens for the walls. A simple idea is to use a frame and mesh wire.

Staple the mesh wire to the back of the frame and place the air plants through the openings.

Valentine’s Day Planters

Valentines day air plant

Combine string art and air plants and you’ll have a wall art collage in no time at all. A Valentine’s Day theme with air plants is a low maintenance endeavor.

You can personalize each project with your choice of colors and the desired dimensions and shapes.

Pocket Plant Holders

Make leather pocket air plant holders
The Prudent Garden

A really simple project can be a leather pocket for an air plant. You could also use fabric for this. Each pocket can be made from a scrap piece of leather or fabric in three easy steps.

First, cut the leather into a square or rectangle shape. Second, fold one edge over the opposite side to create a triangle. Third, punch holes through both edges.

Thread a cord through the holes and tie the edges together. For the final step, punch a hole at the top and hang your leather pocket. 

Magnet Plant Holders

DIY magnetic air plant holders

Magnetic air plant holders make for great refrigerator display items.  Use Easter egg containers and split them in two, so one half of an egg is used per flower.

Paint the plastic eggs and attach magnets to each one with glue. Put a tiny air plant in each container stick it on your refrigerator or magnet board.

Board Holders

Air plants string art
Brit

String art and air plants sometimes go hand in hand. Use the technique to make some unique decorations. This project starts with a few simple things such as a wooden board, some colored string, small nails and a hammer.

Outline the desired design on the wooden board and then hammer nails along the lines. After that, start wrapping string starting from a corner. When you’re done, place an air plant or two in the webbing.

DIY Air Plant Wall Frame

Old frame used for air plants

A beautiful frame can also be used to make an air plant decoration. All you need is a string and small nails. Use an old mirror frame if you need something bigger. 

When making this plant holder, first, sand, paint, or stain it if you want. Then hammer some small nails to the back of the frame and start making a web out of string to hold your air plant.

Mini Clay Pot Magnets

Mini clay pots magnets
The Merry Thought

Put air plants in tiny clay pots and attach magnets to each one so you can stick them to a board. Once you have your tiny containers, glue magnets to each one and put tiny plants in them.

Ceramic Air Plant Hangers

Ceramic wall pockets for air plants

Ceramic planters can also be displayed on the wall. You can mount them with screws or nails. Air-dry clay, paint, a rolling pin, and X-acto knife, and some sandpaper are the main things you’ll need to make these planters.

Roll out some clay, trace the desired shape on a piece of paper and use that as a template. Cut the pieces out of clay and then put them together, smoothing the edges with water. Put something inside to give the pocket the desired form.

Air Plant Hanging Terrarium

Wood and copper wall mount hanger

Glass terrariums with copper wire attached to a wood panel offer soft green touch. You could look at it another way and see the glass planters as the translucent eyeballs of an android grasshopper. Plants and planters may limit, but if they do, that’s on you.

Take your DIY design skills to the next level and turn your space into an interactive modern art piece. Instead of following Martha Stewart’s lead, imagine what Salvador Dali would do and see if you could pull that off.

The hanging glass planters look great in hallways, above foyers, and mudrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Do Air Plants Die After They Bloom?

Most air plants have distinct growth cycles. The plants stop blooming after they grow. Their energy is passed to the “pups” produced after they bloom.

Can You Give Air Plants Tap Water? 

Tap water changes according to its environment. Air plants enjoy soft water. If you’re unsure about the water, use rainwater or bottled water.

How To Revive A Sick Air Plant?

If an air plant has brown spots it’s because it hasn’t received enough water. The good news is that the plant isn’t dead. The first thing you can do is soak the plant in water. 

If you use tap water, make sure you dechlorinate it before soaking the sick air plant in it. The best water to use when curing a sick air plant is rainwater.

Another problem is that the air plant needs more air. If you have it in a container with a small top, find something that has a large opening that will provide the plant with more air.

Are Air Plants Poisonous To Cats?

If your sweet kitty cat nibbles on a Tillandsias you won’t have anything to worry about because air plants aren’t toxic.

How To Build An Air Plant Terrarium?

You’ll need an open glass container with good airflow. Air plants need a strong oxygen supply. Next, put sand or aquarium gravel at the bottom of the glass container. Add a few stones, rocks, or scrap wood pieces for decoration, and you’re all set. 

Air Plants Conclusion

Air plants are a wonderful addition to bedrooms and living spaces. All you need is one air plant for your bedroom or kitchen to enliven it with positive energy. Dedicate an entire wall to air plants and watch the area spark excitement and energy.