Shortly after I started this blog in 2010, I did a post on authentic
mid-century houseplants, which has consistently been one of my most frequently read posts. Because it was such a popular post, I did a
follow-up about a year later that also generated a lot of hits as well.
Now I'm going to share one of my new interests with you that I think will give you another option for bringing some greenery into your mid-century home. Back in December I did a post on
vertical gardening and briefly mentioned a plant named tillandsia, but I think it deserves a post of its own.
Commonly called air plant, the genus
tillandsia is a member of the bromeliad family. What sets the 650 species of air plants apart from other bromeliads is that they grow without soil. They absorb water and nutrients through their leaves, and their roots are mainly for attaching to other objects.
Air plants only flower once in their lifetimes, so they are cultivated for their foliage and interesting shapes more than for their blooms, but when they bloom, they really put on a show. The plants range in size from a tiny 1/2" to 10".
Air plants are easy to grow and look perfect in a mid-century setting. They require moderate light and a good soak every week and can be grown in pots, in terrariums or on bark and rock. They can even be glued to a surface.
Whether you can find them at your local garden center may be hit or miss, but they are readily available on Etsy, and many other reputable suppliers can be found online. I have purchased plants from
Airplant Supply Co. and
Airplants4U and have been very satisfied.
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| etsy.com - Dezign24seven |
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| etsy.com - EarthSeaWarrior |
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| etsy.com - mudpuppy |
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| etsy.com - MyZen |
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| etsy.com - Plantzilla |
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| etsy.com - sassycontessa |
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| etsy.com - seaandasters |
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| etsy.com - jfishdesigns |
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| etsy.com - MyZen |
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| etsy.com - vikiri |
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| One of my plants in bloom |
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| More of my plants in DIY wall hangers |
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Another of my air plants
in a DIY mini wall pocket I just made
(shown with my McCoy Unipet bowl) |
Living sculptures. Yours look amazing Dana. I love the trio in your (beautiful) hanging planters. I am planning to "grow" (is that the right word?) some in my modern, Pippa made macrame. Just haven't got around to it yet, but this post has given me the motivation to get a move on.
ReplyDeleteYours will be wonderful in one of Pippa's macrame holders. I can't wait to see them.
DeleteThanks ladies, I too adore the air plant and I think they would feature lovely with the macrame!
DeleteYour hangers are lovely Dana, now I'm inspired too!
Pippa, be sure to post pictures of yours too. I know they'll be gorgeous!
DeleteWow Dana. Such a beautiful post & your wall hangers are stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I had fun making them. I just took a wall pocket version out of the oven...literally, just a few seconds ago. As soon as it cools, I'll add a photo of it.
DeleteThe one in the glass globe would make the kiddies squeal at Halloween, looking all creepy.
ReplyDeleteAw, poor little tillies. They didn't know they could look creepy.
DeleteHmm, I've been thinking about introducing some green to my space but without the "pet plant" maintenance. I have a water bamboo in the office and that worked out pretty well. From water to air... sounds promising.
ReplyDeleteThey really are quite easy to grow. I just take mine to the kitchen once or twice a week, run tap water over them, shake the excess water out and then turn them upside down on a piece of paper towel till the center is dry. You can mist them instead, if you prefer.
DeleteDana, your wall pocket creation turned out fabulous. Did you use the same clay or something different? Your new one in bloom is incredible!!! I think I'll definitely have to try the new place you went to for a change. I'm so in love with these plants so it's exciting to see yours displayed so perfectly. It's so addicting, isn't it... and you're right... the perfect plant for both our modern homes. Love this!!!
ReplyDeleteStacey, I used the same Premo clay, and I think I really like it. I may try Fimo next time, but only out of curiosity. Would you believe that the new supplier gave me that huge blooming stricta FREE???? I was very pleased with the transaction. I made three tiny pots today for some small kolbii. I'll send you some pictures soon.
DeleteI'm lovin crafty Dana! :)
DeleteI've always been artsy-craftsy, even as a kid. Most of my adult life I've kept some sort of project going...mosaics, charcoal drawing, oil painting, pen and ink drawing, embroidery, sewing, jewelrymaking, candlemaking, soapmaking (or whatever I needed to pull out of my hat to decorate my house at the time). These days, I tend to be craftsy in spurts. Lately it's been working with clay, which I'll probably post about in a little more detail eventually.
DeleteI've also been wanting to explore some transfer techniques lately. For a while I was doing essential oil transfers from paper, but now I want to try alcohol transfers from transparencies. I feel a trip to the paper store coming on.
I remember your mid century houseplant post - it was a great one! Air plants are beautiful in mid mod homes, especially in hanging ashtrays. I also love the clear glass globes. Cool post!
ReplyDeleteI had never thought about putting them in hanging ashtrays. What a fantastic idea! I'm off to see if you have one in your beautiful Etsy shop.
DeleteYour DIY wall pockets are so pretty! You could sell them!!! Shame about one not cooperating after so much work. I might have to copy this DIY . . . . :)
ReplyDeleteThe one that failed was much more elaborate than any of the other pieces I had done. It had two pockets and looked a little like a figure eight from above...and it had taken so much patience to get it proportioned correctly with everything the same thickness all around. Gah! But like you said, it happens to all of us. I just didn't have the heart to start over on it today. Maybe tomorrow.
DeleteIf you haven't done much with clay, you should give it a try. With the exception of that mishap, I'm having a lot of fun with it.
I used to have a air plant I purchased from Walmart in October. It was a ceramic Jack-o'-lantern and the air plant was his hair. *hehehe*
ReplyDeleteI love your air plants.
I've never seen any air plants at our Walmarts. I'll have to look!
DeleteI just recently ordered some airplants from CTSAirplants on etsy. I love them! I would fill the whole house with them, but that could get overwhelming at watering time. The Spanish moss is already growing like crazy. When it's big enough to divide, I'm going to try some in my trees and see if I can give my yard some of that deep south charm.
ReplyDelete