Try this DIY project for displaying your air plants

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 03/08/2023

Air plants don't require soil to live, so making a terrarium to display them in is a perfect DIY project. With just a few materials, you can make a beautiful habitat for your air plants that's also unique home decor. Here is a guide for how to make your own air plant terrarium:

What you'll need

Open glass vessel or terrarium
Pebbles, sand or aquarium gravel
Decorative rocks, wood, shells or other accessories
Your choice of air plants

Which air plant is best?

All air plants are part of the Tillandsia genus but come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. While they all require the same basic care, some are more drought-tolerant than others. If you're a forgetful waterer, choose air plants with silver foliage rather than green. The greener the plant, the quicker it will dry out. The choice of plant is completely up to your preference.

Step by step

To start this simple DIY project, clean and dry your chosen container thoroughly. If you opt for a terrarium or vessel with a lid or hatch, leave it open to provide airflow.
Carefully pour your base layer into the bottom of the vessel. If your vessel is particularly deep, you can use multiple materials to create a layered effect.
Add decorative rocks, wood, shells or other items.
Carefully place your air plants in an arrangement you find aesthetically pleasing.
Place your terrarium where it will get plenty of bright, indirect light.
To keep your air plants alive and looking their best, soak them in water about once per week. Make sure to allow them to dry completely before placing them back into the terrarium.

About the Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include:

ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009)
SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009)
SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder
Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.