Air plants have gained widespread popularity because they’re aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective, and easy to care for.

Air plants, as the name implies, don’t grow in soil. These plants have a symbiotic relationship with the tree trunks or other plants on which they grow. As a result, you can’t just bring an air plant in from nature, plant it in potting soil, and expect it to grow. 

To grow air plants at home, you’re going to need a specialty terrarium that can provide the right environment and nutrients for them to thrive.  Keep reading to see some of the best complete terrarium kits that feature air plants.

Can Air Plants Live in Terrariums? 

air plant terrarium kits 2021

Photo by Severin Candrian on Unsplash

Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, differ from other types of plants regarding how they grow. They’re considered epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants and live on them in a non-parasitic way.

In nature, they grow in canopies of trees or on exposed cliffs. In both cases, they need good, indirect lighting, proper airflow, and frequent watering. 

Given these required conditions, you can’t put air plants in a closed terrarium because you’re preventing them from getting the ventilation and light they need. 

An open terrarium is the best way to go with air plants because their open-air design offers unrestricted airflow. Yet, they do love a humid environment, so you need to keep the terrarium’s humidity slightly higher than the room’s humidity. 

Placing moss in an air plant terrarium helps stabilize humidity levels and preserves moisture. Can you overwater your air plant terrarium? Absolutely, so make sure to place good drainage layers, so your air plants don’t sit in excess water. Excess water can greatly damage air plants. 

Finally, when it comes to light, try to place your terrarium in a well-lit place. No matter how much light you think you have at your home, it’s nothing compared to nature. You may need to consider additional lighting for your terrarium.

3 Best Air Plant Terrarium Kits Available Today

Now that you know all about Tillandsia and how to care for them let’s look at some of the best air plant terrarium kits on the market today.

NW Wholesaler Air Plant Terrarium Kit – Editor’s Pick

NW Wholesaler Air Plant Terrarium Kit review

This gorgeous kit from NW Wholesaler is excellent for minimalists who want a simple air plant terrarium that doesn’t require them to put too much time and effort into care. 

It comes with a 4.25″ x 5.5″ glass container with a flat base, colored floral sand, and three live Tillandsia plants that will thrive in this terrarium, given proper care. 

Planting these air plants into the glass terrarium is super easy. All you have to do is fill the glass container base with sand, place the plants on top of it, and you’re done! 

You need to water it using a water mister once a week and keep it in good lighting conditions. As a response, the air plants will help purify the air in your house and add a bold look to your living room, desk, or kitchen table. 

Bliss Gardens Teardrop Glass Air Plant Terrarium – Runner-Up

Bliss Gardens Teardrop Glass Air Plant Terrarium review

The Teardrop glass terrarium from Bliss Gardens might very well be the best-looking air plant terrarium kit on the market. It’s intricately crafted in a Shabby Chic style that looks quite different from traditional globe-shaped terrariums and suits the shape of most air plants.

The kit comes with the Ionantha air plant, dried Thistle flower, beautiful purple Amethyst crystal, white decorative rocks, preserved Juniper, reindeer moss, and twine. On top of that, you get an easy-to-follow instructions manual that will guide you through the planting process. 

As per the manufacturer’s instructions, you need to water the plants once a week, and as an extra, you can use a food fertilizer once a month. 

Apart from the air purification effect that air plants provide, the Amethyst crystal supposedly brings calmness and introduces positive energy into the room it’s put. 

All in all, this is a beautiful terrarium housing with an exquisite collection of air plants that will surely impress. The purple crystal also adds a nice touch, doubling as a decor accessory and an air purifier. 

Bliss Gardens Tillandsia Air Plant Terrarium Kit – Great Value

Bliss Gardens Tillandsia Air Plant Terrarium Kit review

Another interesting pick from Bliss Gardens is the Tillandsia Air Plant Kit. This kit comes in a distinct round terrarium with a circular open side to allow for proper airflow. 

The kit comes with a 9″ metal stand on which you hang the terrarium, giving your space an amazing aesthetic touch. It’s simple, elegant, and space-saving!

The kit comes with two Ionantha plants; one is large while the other is small. It also comes with some black and silver rocks that you use as a base for the plants. You get a detailed instructions manual as well. 

The terrarium holder is the main focus of this kit; it makes it more suitable for office settings. It also makes it easy to place the terrarium on top of a counter. Just make sure to keep it out of children’s reach. 

Conclusion

Guide to Air Plant Terrarium Kits

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Air plants are quite intriguing because they have their own unique behaviors and needs that are different from the requirements of soil-based plants. Nonetheless, they’re so simple and easy to look after and can survive in pretty basic conditions. 

Hopefully, with the aid of the information shared in this article, you’ll be able to pinpoint the ideal air plant terrarium kit for your needs. Happy gardening!