Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Indoor plants

HappySprout may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

7 ideas for using air plants as creative interior design

Rebecca Wolken
By

Just when you think you’re getting the hang of caring for plants, you learn about air plants and your mind is blown! Air plants are lovely little plants that don’t need soil to live, and unlike other plants that can live in water, they don’t need that either. They’re called air plants because they can absorb the water and nutrients they need from the air. Of course, you still have to water them, but this looks more like soaking and allowing the leaves to take a big drink. Once you’ve learned about air plants, you might have started a decent size collection of them, so now what do you do with them? Here we’re going to go through some of the unique ways you can display your adorable air plants.

Gems and crystals

Balance your home energy and cleanse your chakras, all while showing off your air plants. Many sellers on Etsy, like Bella’s Bloom, sell adorable crystals and gem holders for air plants. The combination of foliage and rock is both aesthetically pleasing and balancing in a room’s overall design. Cluster them together on a shelf and maybe invest in some incense to really set the tone of the space.

air plant terrarium
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hanging terrariums

Sometimes shelves can look cluttered, but you still want a way to display your air plants without adding to this clutter. A wonderful way to do this is with hanging terrariums. You likely have other plants hanging around your home; just because they don’t need soil doesn’t mean you can’t also hang an air plant. These little hanging terrariums by AirPlantDesignCenter are affordable and easy to set up. You can place just a single air plant in them or double them up with a cute knick knack to put your own personality into it.

Recommended Videos

Unique sculptures

One of the cutest ways to display your air plant is to use a sculpture holder to rest the plant in. These options range from tiny pieces that could fit on a desk to larger displays that might need their own nightstand. Either way, they’re often funny little sculptures that give the impression that the air plant is the sculpture’s hair. For example, this one here is a festive Frankenstein’s Monster sculpture. You won’t want to wait for Halloween to set up this adorable display.

Related

Frame those plants

Ever think your plants are just so pretty they should be framed on the wall? Same! And this air plant frame by FramedPlants on Etsy is the ideal way to show off those cute little air plants. Handmade by the seller, these frames are unique and an excellent way to display multiple air plants at once. The frame design also reduces the amount of space the air plants take up on a shelf or counter, so this is the option for you if you’re limited on space but not on love for air plants!

Vertebrae holders

Don’t freak out! These ethically sourced bone displays are edgy and come without guilt. CalmEarthCreations has created a genuinely show-stopping way to display air plants. The bones will delicately hold your air plants and provide a terrific conversation piece for anyone who walks through your door. They’ll also look amazing in some Instagram posts; just be sure to source the seller when you share!

wooden ball air plant holder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tabletop displays

While some of us are looking for ways to save space, others might be looking for a statement piece that can be the star of the show on a dining room table or buffet table. These hardwood root balls by EmmaClaireShop are an organic way to display multiple air plants. Each root ball will be different than the others, and you can be sure that you’ll have a one-of-a-kind item. The best part is all the nooks and crannies you can tuck air plants into. You can use smaller plants alongside larger ones to create a dynamic look.

Geometric shape displays

For those looking for a more minimalistic design or something that will draw more attention to the plant than the planter, you might want to check out these geometric holders by SanctumHandmade. This seller offers a wide variety of these holders, but they’re all elegant and ideal for a more modern style. These planters can be placed on a table or desk, or you can hang them.

Although they can seem intimidating at first, air plants are easy to care for and add a unique look to your plant collection. So get yourself a few to try out and invest in one of these fantastic display options to show off the plant and your personality.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebecca Wolken
Rebecca Wolken
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rebecca's has written for Bob Villa and a Cincinnati based remodeling company. When she's not writing about home remodeling…
Here’s how to care for your aloe vera plant to reap its soothing benefits
Tips on watering, pruning, and propagating your aloe vera plant
Aloe vera pups

Of the hundreds of plants in the aloe genus, aloe vera probably has the most established reputation as a powerhouse personal care ingredient. The plant is best known for its versatile leaf gel, which you can use to soothe scrapes, burns, and other minor irritations. As a succulent, it’s relatively easy to grow and maintain, but there are things you should know about it to give it the best care possible. Ahead, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about this healing desert marvel — with these tips, you'll be ready to harvest it in no time.

What you need to know about the aloe vera plant
Aloe often grows in a rosette form — many varieties are spineless, but some have spines and teeth along their fleshy, upright leaves. They can push out tubular red, orange, or yellow flowers outside during the growing season. The most common variety is aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera. Aloe vera is often found in food, drinks, medicine, and personal care items — that's right, it's in beverages as well. It features dagger-like, fleshy green leaves with serrated edges, and you can grow aloe vera directly in the ground or containers. The leaves can grow up to two feet long and the plant, when grown outside, can sometimes push out a yellow flower stalk up to three feet tall.

Read more
The 5 best tall indoor plants you can get to create a lively space
Tall plants to fill your home with
A collection of various houseplants

Many gardeners look for small houseplants and flowers to conserve space, but what if you have the opposite problem? Many homeowners can relate to the feeling of looking at a room and thinking it’s missing something. Sometimes, what it's missing is a tall houseplant to fill space, to add visual interest, and even to add some relaxing vibes to the room.

If you need a tall houseplant to add a burst of greenery to your home, this guide is here to help. There are plenty of tall indoor plants to choose from, and here are our five favorites!

Read more
A complete money tree care guide
Tips and tricks to help your money tree thrive
Several houseplants including a money tree and a cactus on a window sill

If your home or office is in need of a new small tree, then the beautiful money tree, also known as the Guiana chestnut, might be the perfect choice. Pachira aquatica is a small tree native to Central and South America, where it is used as a symbol of good financial luck and prosperity. Whether you’re hoping for some good luck or just like the way it looks, money trees make excellent houseplants. Additionally, money tree care is easy to follow. This simple guide will explain everything you need to know to keep your new money tree happy and healthy.

Where and how to plant your money tree
If your money tree is outdoors, then make sure it has plenty of room. They can get up to 60 feet tall if left to their own devices, so avoid planting yours beneath any overhangs, trees, or power lines. Indoor money trees, however, will stay much smaller, typically growing only a few feet tall.

Read more