ALL ABOUT AIR PLANTS

Tips for DIY arrangements

Indoor plants have a way of promoting a calming environment within the home. Some homeowners choose to have a vase filled with seasonal flowers in the kitchen or on their dining room table, while others decorate their homes with a plethora of smaller floral arrangements.

For pet owners, having indoor plants can be a bit of a challenge. My own cats firmly believe that all plants are either food or playthings, so many floral displays don’t survive more than a day or two before being toppled to the ground and chewed to bits. While I love plants and plant life, I needed a solution to my dilemma: something that could accommodate a smaller space that wasn’t in reach of my pets, but was also low maintenance.

I visited my local flower shop on Elgin Street, Bel Fiore Flowers & Collectibles, and discovered the Tillandsia tectorum, commonly known as air plants. These low maintenance plants grow without any soil and use their roots to colonize objects such as trees and rocks. They’re also epiphytic, which means they absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves. You can put them just about anywhere!

STEPS REHYDRATE WITH A WATER BATH

The most common cause of death for Tillandsias is underwatering; they need to be watered when they’re inside an air-conditioned or heated home. To water, simply submerge your Tillandsias in a deep dish or pitcher for a few hours. Afterwards, take them out and gently shake them upside down to dislodge water from the centre of the plants.

FIND A CONTAINER THAT FITS THE SPACE

Think about where you’ll be featuring these plants in your home. Will they be sitting atop a windowsill, a shelf or on a table? Homeowners wanting to decorate a shelf or windowsill may opt for smaller containers, such as old candleholders, glass jars or coconut shells, while those decorating larger areas may choose to create a larger centrepiece.

ADD EXTRA DECORATIONS

After you’ve found yourself the perfect container, you can start to decorate. Items like sea glass, stones, wood and seashells can be used to add interest to your arrangement.

SET IT UP

After you’re done decorating, place your new Tillandsia arrangement in a space with bright, filtered sunlight.

These low maintenance plants grow without any soil and use their roots to colonize objects such as trees and rocks.

Step 1: Tillandsias need to be bathed every 10-14 days. If signs of dehydration, such as brown leaf tips, faded colours or curling leaves, give them baths more frequently. Keep in a warm space with bright, filtered sunlight.

PHOTOS: S. EVELYN CIMESA Step 2: I found these little candleholders for under $5 at Value Village. They match the other antiques and accents with tarnished finishes in the room, so they’ll fit in splendidly.

Step 3: Sea glass, sea shells and rocks add a pop of colour to your arrangement. I used shells and stones collected during my travels.

Step 4: Arrange your Tillandsias in the decorated container. Place the arrangement in its new home and admire from afar.