Air plants are the perfect houseplant for those with little time to care for their indoor greenery or little space to display it. These darling members of the Tillandsia genus extract their water and nutrients from the air. That means they need no soil and can be grown in any container–or no container at all–as long as they have adequate airflow and occasional misting. And with a simple-to-make magnetic air plant holder, you can work air plants into your interior design plans even if you live in a small apartment, dorm room, or other tiny space.
Creating your own magnetic air plant holder couldn’t be easier:
Step 1: Choose Your Container
- Air plants can sit on or in any holder as long as there’s sufficient air flow around the plant to collect its food and water.
- Look for a holder with a back large enough to affix a round magnet.
- Consider using natural materials like small pieces of wood or drift wood (no treated lumber); shells; dried sea urchins, larger nut shells, pinecones, or even slow-to-rot vegetables like mini pumpkins.
- Manmade found materials work well too: a wine cork with the top hollowed out for the plant to sit; half a plastic Easter egg, which can be painted any color you wish; the discarded plastic tops to spray bottles, which can also be painted (just don’t use the top from any toxic product like insecticide or commercial cleaners).
- Or buy a tiny ceramic or terra-cotta pot, one that’s already decorated or that you can decorate yourself. Just make sure your container isn’t too heavy for the magnet to hold.
Step 2: Attach a Magnet
- Buy inexpensive round magnets found in the Arts, Crafts & Sewing section of your favorite local store. The larger and heavier your container, the larger magnetic round you should buy.
- Use super glue or liquid nails to affix the magnet to the back of your container.
Step 3: Place Your Air Plant
- If there is an indent or hollow in your container in which your air plant can perch securely, simply put the plant there, making sure all parts have access to airflow.
- You can also glue the plant in place with a dab of hot glue or liquid nails (not super glue) or secure it with fishing line, string, yarn, or wire (not copper wire–it’s toxic to air plants). We recommend E6000 glue.
Step 4: Hang and Enjoy!
- Attach your air plant in its new magnetic container to the refrigerator or any other metallic surface.
- Bunch several of the plants in an interesting pattern, which you can change up whenever the mood strikes.
- Mist heavily twice a week or more often in dry locations. Soak upside-down in water every two weeks.
This DIY magnetic plant holder allows even those living in the most cramped quarters to display a houseplant. Plus, by using found materials and common craft supplies, this project is not only fun and easy, it’s inexpensive as well! Read more about how to care for and display air plants here.
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