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…
Wondering how much water a plant needs? Here’s what you need to know
Tips on how much water to give your plants and when
Person watering a plant box

It's common practice for plant owners to water their plants on a schedule, doing it at the same time every day or every week. There's nothing wrong with following a plant watering schedule (there are even plant and gardening apps that help you keep track), but a set schedule may not provide the best care for certain plants. After all, plants differ widely in what they need to grow, so not all your plants will need the same amount of water at the same time. In fact, the same plant might need different amounts of water from week to week!

How much water a plant needs can vary from plant to plant and day to day. This is the first thing to keep in mind when it comes to watering your plants. Let’s go over how you can set up a watering schedule while still meeting the needs of each leafy (or spiky!) friend.

Read more
Wondering how to water succulents? Here are the best succulent watering tips
The best and healthiest methods for watering your succulents
Succulent arrangement

The cardinal rule of succulent care is to avoid overwatering. Native to hot deserts, succulents store water inside their fleshy stems and leaves to prepare for drought. Many species also have waxy cuticles that prevent them from losing water due to evaporation in warm, arid climates. But like all plants, succulents need water.

If you're wondering how to water succulents, you're not alone. While you want to err on the side of underwatering your succulents, your plants will appreciate a drink every now and then. But do you water your succulents from the top or bottom? And how often should you water your succulents? We’ve rounded up a few tips on watering your succulents and cacti to keep them thriving.

Read more
Lithops care: How to plant, water, and tend to your living stone plants
These cute "split rock" plants can be fussy about their water needs, but we promise, they're worth it!
Lithops in a collection of pots

Lithops are known as living stone plants (and are occasionally called “split rocks” or “pebble plants") due to their quaint, rock-like appearance. They are small, drought-resistant plants that often don’t grow more than an inch above the surface of the soil. Lithops have two thick, padded leaves that resemble both a cleft in a hoof — sometimes earning them the endearing name of “butt plants” — or green to gray stones, depending on the color of the plant. Unlike that pet rock you may have had as a kid, though,  keeping your lithops alive can be quite a complex task. You may know how to water a succulent, but lithops are rather tricky, and their watering schedule will need you to be diligent and observant. But no worries! These oddball cuties are totally worth the fuss, so we'll show you exactly how to meet your lithops care needs.

What are the basic care requirements?
The most important thing for lithops is to make sure you have the right kind of potting material. Remember where lithops come from — aka, the desert — and the type of environment they’re best suited for — aka, well, desert conditions. Potting material that is rich in organic material is great for some plants, but lithops will die if planted in it. Pick something that is sandy, rocky, and drains quickly, like a succulent and cactus potting mix.

Read more