Tillandsias for Holiday Decor

We all know about the spectacular "Christmas cactus" and its impressive winter show of flowers, but here's another versatile epiphyte that you can use in your holiday decor: Tillandsia!  Also known as 'air plants', tillandsias obtain their water and nutrients from nothing more than rain, dust, and the humidity in the air.

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The Christmas cactus is stealing the show right now, but when those blooms are spent, the tillandsias will keep the container interesting.  All I did for this container was sink a small zygocactus, pot and all into the container, then placing tillandsias along the rim. One of the tillies to the left is blooming right now, and when grown in sun the foliage will turn bright red at flowering time.

Tilandsia's adaptability and silvery foliage make them ideal candidates for interior design. You've probably seen them fizzle out as one of those tacky refrigerator magnets, but a little extra light and a weekly sprits of water can go a long way to keeping your tillies healthy and spectacular.  I hang them in clumps, mount them on trees, and simply set them on my metal rack where they get lots of airflow and extra water whenever I water the other plants.

I know many of you grow tillandsia anyways, so why not group them with some silvery ornaments in a centerpiece? Better yet, consider using them to decorate the Christmas tree!  The dramatic contrast that the white leaved varieties like t. harrisii would have against the dark green needles would make a really powerful visual statement.

 The best part about using tillandsias in your holiday decor is that they're very easy to move around and place wherever your imagination takes you.  When the Christmas cactus in this display has finished blooming, those 'air plants' will have a second life in a festive wreath!

For more container ideas,
Container Garden Ideas
Tropical Vertical Garden
Beachcombing for Gardeners

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