For the longest time, I had the Tillandsia Xerographica (the big spiral air plant in the forefront) hanging in a shell plant hanger in a northern facing window. It has been relatively happy there, but there wasn’t any space for the other two. On our most recent trip to the Gulf Coast, a hurricane had passed through the month before so there was a ton of driftwood all over the shoreline. I combed and combed looking for a lightweight piece with a scooped shape to cradle the air plants and a good size for my plant shelf. There is no trick here, I simply laid the three air plants in the cradle of driftwood because I’ll have to remove them for their bi-weekly baths.
The spiky one in the middle is a Capitata Peach and there is a third smaller one in the back that looks like a ball of plants that is a young colony of Xerographica x. Brachycaulos Multiflora.
The name air plant is misleading. Air plants do need water and a lot of it! Some subscribe to the misting approach, which will be a daily chore in most growing zones. Instead, I prefer to dunk my air plants in a tub of rainwater and forget about them for a day or so, depending on how thirsty they look.
When you’re ready, pull those plants out and set them upside down to dry. If the water pools too long in the base, the plant will begin to rot. Did I mention I used rain water? Tap water will work if you let it air out for a day or two. Here you can see all three of my air plants drying out under my grow light. A grow light isn’t necessary for drying. This was the only space I had available for drying and keeping out of reach of the kiddos and animals.