Mounting air plants (Tillandsia) on wood is really easy and very easy to care for. They need no potting soil to grow and normally anchor themselves to a tree and gather moisture and nutrients from the air (hence the name) and other decaying matter like leaves. They are not parasitic and only use other plants for support – unlike Octo-mom who IS parasitic and uses parents for support [Gasp!] I can’t believe I said that!
Air plants also known as tillandsias are unique tropical plants that don’t need soil to grow. Their ability to thrive without roots makes them perfectly suited for attaching to various surfaces like wood. Displaying air plants on pieces of wood creates a beautiful, natural-looking decoration for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the process of attaching air plants to wood step-by-step. We’ll also provide tips and recommendations for choosing the right plants, prepping the wood, using the best attachment methods, and caring for mounted air plants
Benefits of Displaying Air Plants on Wood
Before jumping into the how-to, let’s look at why mounting air plants on wood is such a great way to show off these amazing plants:
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Provides a natural-looking display that complements wood’s organic textures.
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Allows you to easily move and rotate plants to control sun exposure.
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Elevates plants to new heights for interesting visual arrangements.
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Suitable for displaying plants indoors and outdoors.
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Lets plants anchor on wood without need for soil,
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Creates a low-maintenance, long-lasting planted decor piece.
Step 1: Select Your Wood Base
The first step is choosing what type of wood you want to use. Smaller pieces of wood like branches, twigs or bark work well for displaying single air plants or small groupings. For larger displays, driftwood, logs, and wood boards make great bases.
Consider the shape and size of the wood piece. The wood should be lightweight enough to easily move but sturdy enough to support the air plants.
Popular wood options for air plant displays include:
- Driftwood
- Grapevine
- Mopani wood
- Cholla wood
- Oak
- Birch
- Cork
Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Wood
Before attaching any plants, thoroughly clean the wood to remove any dirt, debris, or loose splinters. Use a wire brush, sandpaper or steel wool to gently scrub the surface.
Trim off any excess branches or smaller offshoots if needed to create your desired silhouette. This is also a good time to sand down any rough patches or sharp edges.
Make sure the wood is completely dry before proceeding. If using a porous wood like driftwood give it a few days to air dry fully before mounting plants.
Step 3: Select Your Air Plants
When choosing air plants, smaller specimens and mini tillandsia varieties are easier to mount than giant plants. Good starter air plants include:
- Tillandsia ionantha
- Tillandsia fasciculata
- Tillandsia streptophylla
- Tillandsia juncea
- Tillandsia bulbosa
Consider size, shape, color and texture when selecting plants. Play around with mixing different varieties to create an attractive composite display.
If the plant has a bulbous base, mount it horizontally instead of vertically to prevent rot from trapped moisture. Remove any dead leaves from the base and trim off any damaged parts.
Step 4: Determine Plant Placement
Before permanently affixing plants, loosely position them on the wood to determine optimal placement. Step back and look at the arrangement from multiple angles.
Play around with creating interesting patterns or grouping multiples of the same variety. Space plants out evenly or cluster them close together depending on your desired aesthetic.
Consider the natural nooks, curves and texture of the wood and use those to influence placement. Position plants to complement the wood shape rather than hiding its natural features.
Step 5: Attach Plants to the Wood
There are a few methods you can use to securely attach air plants to wood:
Using Glue
Look for a flexible, waterproof glue formulated specifically for plants and florals. Avoid super glue or hot glue as these can damage plants. E6000 Craft Adhesive is a great plant-safe glue option.
Apply a small dab of glue only on the base, avoiding contact with the leaves. Gently press the base against the wood and hold for 30 seconds until set.
Using Wire or String
Bonsai wire or covered floral wire work perfectly to attach plants by winding around the base and securing to the wood. This is less permanent than glue, allowing you to eventually remove plants.
Fishing line or thin twine can also attach plants discreetly by tying the base to the wood. Just be careful not to tie too tightly.
Wedging Into Crevices
If the wood has small cracks or holes, you can wedge the plant’s base and roots directly into the crevice without any glue or ties. This creates a cool integrated look.
Step 6: Display Your Creation
Once secured, it’s time to show off your new air plant art! Here are some ideas for putting your wood-mounted plants on display:
- Hang on the wall or from ceiling with fishing line
- Sit on mantel, bookshelf or tabletop
- Place in bright, indirect light indoors
- Put outside on porch or in garden
- Accent a wreath or swag display
- Mount over a bed or desk
Make sure not to place mounted air plants in direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Rotate the display occasionally so all sides get bright, indirect light exposure.
Caring for Wood-Mounted Air Plants
Mounted air plants require a bit more specialized care than potted specimens. Here are some key tips:
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Mist plants daily or soak 1-2 times per week depending on environment.
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Water by submerging just the leaves/roots, keeping wood base dry.
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Allow plants to fully dry upside down before re-mounting after watering.
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Apply fertilizer by misting leaves instead of full-immersion soaking.
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Monitor plants for signs of rot from excess moisture.
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Consider bringing mounted plants indoors during cold weather.
Attaching air plants to wood opens up amazing possibilities for displaying these unique plants in new and creative ways. Just follow the proper preparation, mounting, and care steps outlined above and you’ll be able to integrate beautiful wood-mounted air plants into your indoor or outdoor living spaces.
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Step 1: Choose Plants
There are literally hundreds of varieties to choose from and depending on your region, they may even grow in the wild or you can check with you local nurseries. TIP: group plants with similar care needs – it’ll make life so much simpler! Who the hell needs more complication, right? Oh wait, the Octo-mom! I need to shut up…
Mounting Air Plants with Tilly Tacker
FAQ
What glue can you use for air plants?
Simply apply the silicone glue where you want to fix your airplant and gently press airplant into place. Take care not cover the very base of the plant in glue.
How do you attach air plants to bark?
Apply a coin sized dab of glue where you want to attach your air plant — more for larger plants — just eyeball it. Let glue get tacky, usually about a minute or so. Place plant onto glue — yes even the roots! Press firmly in place. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for every plant.
Can you glue air plants to driftwood?
You can but you need ro let the drift wood dry out side before trying to srick stuff to in oce its dry on the surface start glueing . I used gorrillas gel glu to attach my alubias to the drift wood.
How to water air plants glued to wood?
When watering air plants attached to wood you may find it easier to dunk or mist your plants instead of soaking them in water. Soaking is the best method for hydrating Tillandsia which is grown in an indoor environment. However, the larger the display the less practical soaking becomes.
How do you attach air plants to wood?
Attach your air plant carefully on the wood, ensuring that the base properly connects with the wood’s surface. You also want to ensure that the leaves and stems are not caught up when attaching the plant. Keep in mind that air plants depend on their leaves for moisture and nutrition, so you don’t want to interfere with that.
How do you glue air plants to wood?
Use room temperature water – hot or cold water may shock the plant. Wipe any dust or dirt off the wood base so plants can adhere properly. Let wood dry completely before gluing. Hot glue or epoxy adhesives like E6000 work well to affix air plants to wood. Avoid bare hands when applying glue directly.
Can air plants be mounted on wood?
Mounting air plants on wood is one way of displaying them. This article has provided a step-by-step methodology of effectively attaching tillandsias on wood. The best adhesive for this project is waterproof, plant-safe glue such as E-6000. Other types of glue may do more harm than good to your air plants.
How do you make a mounted air plant?
Follow these simple steps to create your own mounted air plant masterpiece on wood: Look for an interesting piece of wood with nice texture knots, grooves or bark patterns. Driftwood, fallen branches, and log slices make great bases for mounted air plants. Wood should be dry and free of rot or pests. Consider the size and shape of your wood piece.
How do you hang an air plant?
Wrap thin, flexible wire (e.g., floral or craft wire) around the base of the air plant and attach the other end to your chosen mounting surface. Ensure it’s snug but not too tight to avoid damaging the plant. Twist the wire ends securely to the mounting surface. 3. Hanging Containers
How to install air plants?
Go for surfaces of your choice, like driftwood, rocks, or shells. Just apply a small amount of adhesive to the base of the air plant and press it firmly onto the chosen surface. Allow it to dry completely before displaying. 2. Wire Wrapping