1. Home
  2. Inspiration

How to select the right base for your air plant terrarium

By Amanda Scheldt

If you want to incorporate greenery and plants into your home, air plant terrariums are a great way to add something more to your decor. Air plants, often referred to as tillandsia, are epiphytes that attach to other plants or a material layer to support themselves. These plants are simple and low-maintenance living plants that can spruce up your indoor space. They’re more than a trendy plant; their versatility allows them to be styled in many different ways, including in terrariums. But selecting the suitable base for your terrarium can be challenging, given it needs to not only meet your style expectations but proper functionality for your plants to survive. Therefore, let’s explore how you select the best base for your air plant terrarium.

luca85 / Shutterstock

Benefits of air plant terrariums in the home

When utilizing air plant terrariums as a decor choice, there can be countless benefits. Firstly, these types of plants are aesthetically pleasing to the eye and can make any space in the home look and feel more fresh and lively. Furthermore, air plant terrariums can also add a pop of color, especially to rooms with a neutral color scheme.

There are more than just design benefits to these air plant terrariums. One of the most important reasons to bring air plants into the home is that they also often purify the air you breathe. Many scientists have reported that tillandsia and a variety of other plants are capable of removing mild airborne contaminants and chemicals from their environment. Being surrounded by greenery can also help you feel more relaxed, calm, and possibly more productive.

Elements to consider when choosing a base

Before choosing the base that’ll work best for your air plant terrariums, there are several elements to consider, as choosing the right terrarium is important for the health of your air plants. While there are plenty of unique containers to choose from, ensure that the container is made of a transparent material so you can look in at your plant display.

Additionally, terrarium containers should include an opening large enough for the gardener to access the plants while also letting the plants have proper airflow. Tillandsias are different from other common terrarium-based plants because they don’t require soil.

Also keep in mind how you want to display the terrarium — whether it will be sitting on a tabletop or hanging in a window. The last thing you’d want is for a hanging terrarium to fall because the base weighed too much.

Below are some of the best terrarium base options for tillandsias:

  • Moss – Moss is ideal for hanging terrariums since it isn’t as heavy. It’s also less likely to shift around in the vessel if the hanging terrarium sways slightly.
  • Small bark or driftwood – Utilizing small pieces of bark or driftwood is ideal for a rustic look while being a more lightweight option as well. Look for bark or driftwood from non-invasion sources rather than from outside to protect your plant from the potential of pests.
  • Sand – Using sand is an excellent option for tabletop terrariums, given its weight. Sand also retains moisture longer than other options while giving your tillandsias a subtle beachy feel to them.
  • Small pebbles – Another good option for a tabletop terrarium is small pebbles, as it allows a rocky yet stable surface for the air plants to sit on securely.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When choosing your base material for your air plants, you’ll want to ensure a proper environment for your plants. Given that air plants don’t require as much moisture as other terrarium-thriving plants, you still want to provide an optimal environment for them to survive. Choosing the suitable base does not have to be challenging or tricky, so long as you follow our simple guide.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Amanda Scheldt
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Amanda is a self employed content writer with a diverse and multifaceted niche background. After over a decade in the…
What are water globes, and why should you use them for plants?
Tips and tricks for using water globes

Not being able to water your plants doesn’t have to mean instant death for them! Whether you’re going away for vacation or find yourself too busy to consistently water your plants, water globes for plants can be a reliable source of hydration for a few weeks. Plus, there are tons of colorful options, so no matter what your personal aesthetic is you're sure to find one that work for you. How useful are these gardening tools, and are they more effective than other watering methods? We'll answer all your questions and even recommend some of our favorite water globes!

What is a water globe?
The idea of a water globe is straightforward. Essentially, you have a sphere made from glass, plastic, clay, or metal with a long, thin neck. At the end of the neck, you'll find a small opening that slowly dispenses water after you fill up the globe and stick it into your soil. When your soil dries out, air gets into the globe, which pushes a small amount of water out of the stem.
Pros of water globes
Water globes are great if you’re going away for a while or find yourself without much time to tend to your plants. They can usually keep your soil moist for between seven to 14 days. If you’re out of town for a week or two or have a particularly thirsty plant, a water globe can be a quick and relatively affordable solution. It’s especially ideal for water-loving plants such as ferns and calatheas, which appreciate moist soil.
Cons of water globes
There are some matters to consider, of course. A globe can be fragile, especially if you get a glass one. Also, the amount of water dispensed can be variable, depending on how you stick the globe into the soil, the size of the sphere, and your home temperature conditions. While water globes dispense water slowly and don’t waterlog your soil, they aren't the best choice for plants that prefer to fully dry out between waterings, such as cacti and succulents.

Read more
The 4 best window shelves for displaying happy houseplants
Choosing a plant shelf for your window garden

Those of us who are obsessed with house plants know that the real estate around a window is in high demand for our leafy friends, especially for those of us who adore succulents, cacti, and other plant friends who need extra sunlight. Depending on the number of windows you have and what direction they face, there may not be enough light to go around. This leads to crowded windows and sometimes means we can't grow our collection because we have nowhere to put any more plants.

Investing in a plant shelf is a great solution, but how do you know which is right for you? We've got all the info, including 4 recommendations for you to choose from! Your plant shelf window garden will thrive with these tips and tricks.

Read more
Which plants absorb the most carbon dioxide? Here are 5 air-cleaning plants to add to your home
Easy-care houseplants that will cleanse the air in your home

It doesn't matter if you live in the city or out on a homestead; clean air in our homes is something we all want. While using air filters and opening up windows are great ways to keep your air fresh and clean, sometimes they just aren't options. To get you started on cleaning up the air in your home, we'll be talking about the plants you can use to improve the quality of your air and the aesthetics of your space. Keep reading to learn which plants absorb the most carbon dioxide.

Why find carbon dioxide-absorbing plants?
There isn't anything you have to do to encourage a plant to absorb carbon dioxide and expel oxygen. It's what it does naturally! That goes for all plants, from a giant ficus rubber tree to a modest cactus. Any plant that uses photosynthesis to create its energy will improve your air quality. You can also find plants that absorb other toxic things from the air. For example, a bamboo palm will reduce levels of formaldehyde in the air as well. So if you're looking for a forest of air-cleaning plants, you're sure to find it.

Read more