5 Cool Air Plant Holder Ideas You Want to Try ASAP

By Michelle Mastro

For starters, an air plant holder is not like a typical planter because air plants aren't like other houseplants. The bromeliad species, Tillandsias, lack intricate root systems, get their nutrients from the air, and live their entire lives on trees. "Air plants take advantage of the higher light, abundant air circulation, and access to rain that the tree canopy provides," says Angel Lara, vice president for greenhouse horticulture at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida.

These distinctive adaptations not only make air plants some of the easiest houseplants to care for, but they also can be interesting decor with minimal effort or instruction. "You can have a lot of fun displaying air plants because they lend themselves to many ornamental containers and low-light situations," Lara says. Of course, some air plants do require different, individual light needs. So it's always a good idea to research your plant's light and humidity preferences before selecting an air plant holder and location. However, most air plants prefer lower light levels, Lara says, and that is what makes them ideal for homes or gardens. Here are five ways to display air plants that will impress everyone.

A Node installation is much like a natural gallery wall.

The humidity of a bathroom can help air plants thrive.

Looking for an easy way to display your air plants that also offers an impactful design statement? Philadelphia resident and former architect, David Rozek created these ceramic planters in part to replicate the natural living conditions the air plants would find up in the tree canopy. Rozek named these planters nodes, because "they were inspired by nature and derived from the junction on a tree where the branch extends out from the trunk, known as the node," he says. Plus they offer a modern, minimalist aesthetic. You can easily pair the planters with existing tile or opt for different colors to extend additional dimension to your wall gallery of air plants. The full range of sizes and colors can be found at Node Wall Planter.

An air plant chandelier designed by Anna Kebe.

Remember: Even if air plants are known to be low maintenance, they are still a living plant. "They need daily bright light, weekly watering, and good air circulation," says Anna Kebe, creative director of Air Plant Design Studio in St. Augustine, Florida. A windowsill or coffee table is a great option for displaying air plants, but placing them in glass terrariums makes the plants a focal point in any room. "I typically prefer something that feels organic to match the nature element of an air plant," Kebe says. Displaying plants floating in the air by tying them to a chandelier renders both a natural feel and a note of elegance. "The awesome thing about styling air plants is you can add them to almost any space and it will work."

Mix and match the air plant specimens and showcase your collection, as seen in this Homestead and Chill display.

Creating a striking level of visual interest can mean juxtaposing different design sensibilities. Deanna of Homestead and Chill, in San Luis Obispo, California, mixed the living verdant greenery of her air plants with an upcycled container to design a subtle but compelling vignette. "As soon as I saw this vintage soda crate, I knew it would be perfect to display our air plant collection," Deanna says. She combined a wide array of air plants, including Tillandsia Caput Medusae, Harrisii, Xerographica, Funckiana, and Tectorum. "I love that it showcases the plants while adding height, dimension, and interest."

Michael Prior of The Crusty Gardener pairs Tillandsia with a skull.

A Georgia O’Keeffe–worthy air plant holder.

Air plants can be displayed almost anywhere, even in unexpected places. Michael Prior of The Crusty Gardener in Sunderland, England, exhibits his air plants in an animal skull. Uniquely blending different stages of life, this art piece also honors Prior's past, when he got to spend time with his grandmother. He found the skull on one of their many nature hikes together. Until the pandemic, though, the skull had been gathering dust in storage, so he decided to bring it out into the light. "I put the air plants on the skull because I had nowhere to hang them," he explains. "I thought the idea of overgrown skulls would look uncannily good."

Living art in the most literal sense.

Lacking roots, air plant bottoms don't actually need to sit on a surface. Drew and Katie Wint of Bird and Bear Crafts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, make rustic wood-framed displays that serve as a suspended air plant holder. "Our air plant framed display can either sit on a flat surface or hang on a wall," Katie says. This brings a natural look to the plants. Made from a steel or clear wire grid, the frame's material is flexible enough to support a variety of air plant types or sizes. Plus, this grid also makes arranging and removing plants for watering a cinch.