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Recently, I’ve developed a complete obsession with air plants. They’re marvelous in their ability to cling to rocks and trees as guests, not parasites, using their beautiful foliage to gather the water and nutrients they need from the air. Impressive independent beauties that each flower but once.
The Tillandsia air plants genus from the bromeliad family has around 650 species divided into mesic and xeric types.
The mesic air plants like tropical environments with humidity and low light, while the xeric air plants prefer desert-like environments with more indirect light.
Tillandsias generate “pups” or little offsets, new plants that grow from the mother plant’s base after blooming. When pups have grown to a third of the size of the parent plant, they can be gently removed to propagate a new plant.
Because Tillandsia doesn’t need transplanting, they’re ideal for use in craft projects, like creating air plant wine bottle cork magnets.
Making Life’s Memories Come Alive
Life is fabulous at providing moments in time that need to be celebrated: a special date, wedding, graduation, a memorable dinner, or a walk on a beach with a loved one.
I’ve got a clever idea of how you can bring that keep-sake out of obscurity (maybe in the corner of your desk’s bottom drawer) into a place where you and others can see it AND add some life.
What You’ll Need to Make an Air Plant Wine Bottle Cork Magnet
- Scissors
- FDA Approved Glue
- Plant Silicone
- Magnet or Velcro
- Wine Bottle Cork (From Special Occasions)
- Air Plants
A Wine Bottle Cork – or an alternative keep-sake
Special events create memorabilia: wine bottles or champagne corks, sea shells, driftwood, or even a skipping stone – anything tangible from that occasion.
The plan is to attach a magnet to the keep-sake so that you can attach it to a fridge or other metal surface. Then we’ll stick the air plants roots to the memorabilia to create a living memory display.
A Magnet, Velcro, or Sticky Dot
These items can be used to attach the cork (or shell, stone, driftwood, bark) to a home surface.
Office supply stores or printing shops will have magnets that you can get through priority mail and can even give you a price break by buying online.
You could also consider using Velcro if you want to attach your wine corks to a non-ferrous surface.
A Non-Toxic, Quick-Drying Adhesive
Ordinary household superglue is not recommended for mounting air plants. Superglue’s active ingredient is cyanoacrylate, which burns the air plant’s roots, making it an inviable option for providing stability on the mount.
In its place, the FDA has approved a chemical made of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, which is less hazardous. Air plants can be mounted using that adhesive, sold under the trade names SurgiSeal, Dermabond, and Band-Aid Liquid Bandage.
Other options include thicker gels like Gorilla Glue and Krazy Glue, which contains urethane. They are more recommended for mounting air plants.
An Air Plant
Of course, you’ll need an air plant. Depending on the light levels where you want to place the air plant wine corks magnet, you’ll need to choose between a xeric or mesic variety.
Mesic air plants are accustomed to mixed light and won’t want to be introduced to direct sunlight. Humid climates are ideal for these air plants, so misting your plant during the week is a good practice to keep them healthy.
Mesic air plant species include Abdita Multiflora, Butzii, Bulbosa Guatemala, and Bulbosa Belize.
Quality air plants prefer brightly lit areas like south-facing windows. New air plant owners might find these more tolerant plants a good starting point.
Xeric air plant species include Ionantha, Xerographica, Harrisii, and Circinata.
3 Steps To Making An Air Plant Wine Corks Magnet
Once you’ve gathered all you need to make your memorabilia come alive, follow these simple steps to bring life.
Step 1
Lay all you need on a table, so it’s easy to access. If you’re cutting Velcro or magnetic sheets, you’ll also need a pair of scissors.
Step 2
Use the FDA-approved superglue to stick the magnet (or Velcro) to the cork. If you’re using Velcro, stick the fluffy side to the place in your home or office where you want to attach the cork.
Step 3
Attach the air plant roots base to the cork using plant silicone, ensuring you have at least four roots stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to put an air plant?
Tillandsia Air Plants do not need so much light; an ideal location would be 2.5ft from the West or South West facing window or around 1.5 ft from a full spectrum daylight internal lamp. Ensure that you do not place it where footfall can damage the plant.
How long do air plants live?
Most air plants will live for up to 5 years. However, some species will live longer and some shorter. Ideal growing conditions are required for longevity.
How often do you water a Tillandsia plant?
Tillandsia plants should be watered three times a week, depending on the humidity in your home. Spray the plant until the water droplets fall from its leaves or dunk the entire plant into a bowl of water to soak for approx 1 hour.
Is Tillandsia an indoor plant?
Tillandsia plants are perfect for growing indoors. They take up very little room; they are easy to care for and, Make fantastic decorative display art that can make a dull room come to life. Just provide an area with good indirect light, and Tillandsia will be pleased indoors.
Why is my Tillandsia dying?
Tillandsia dies when they cannot breathe; This is caused by overwatering. Stick to 3 times a week or even less if your home has a relative humidity above 60%. Tillandsia does best in indirect light, so keep away from full sun, which will scorch the leaves and could kill the air plant.
In Summary
This is a great way to remember those special occasions when you walk into a room. You get to show off your air plants but remember the feeling you got on that special day. It’s simply perfection.
Check out my other air plant articles to find plant alternatives and caring guides: