Looking for a fun and easy gardening project you can do indoors? Why not try a floating air plant frame? Air plants are extremely easy to care for. Most only require a quick soak in water every couple weeks and misting as needed between waterings, depending on the type you have. This is a project I did from MyGardenBox subscription, but you can do it too with little effort. Here’s how.

How to Make an Air Plant Frame

First things first… gather some supplies. Nearly any type of box-shaped frame would work. Make it as big or small as you like. You’ll also need the following items:

  • Wooden Box Frame
  • Tacks or small nails
  • Plant mister with water (optional)
  • Twine
  • Driftwood or cork
  • Spanish moss
  • Reindeer moss
  • Tillandsia plants

Start by adding some tacks halfway in along the sides of the frame. If you choose small nails, you can simply use a hammer to tap them in.

Now take your twine and wrap it around the tacks to secure in place. It doesn’t need to be glamourous or in any specific order. If you’re planning on hanging your floating air plant frame, leave a little extra twine to wrap around the tacks along the top corners.

Once you’ve got all the twine in place, flip the box frame over and add a decorative driftwood or cork piece. Use the twine to help keep it in place.

Now you’re ready to fill it in with moss. I started with Spanish moss and just stuck it wherever I wanted. It’s totally up to you as to how you want the finished design to look. Grab some of the bright green reindeer moss and do the same thing. Again, weave it into the twine as needed to hold in place.

Adding the Air Plants

After you’ve finished filling in the frame with moss, it’s time to add your air plants. This project used three types of Tillandsia, but it’s your design so use however many you would like depending on the overall size of your frame. Simply stick them into the spaces between the twine, arranging them to your liking. (Note: I misted mine afterwards to moisten the moss enough where the smaller pieces wouldn’t be dropping out.)

That’s it! Your air plant frame is now complete. Hang it up in an area with filtered or indirect light and enjoy. 

Nikki Tilley
Senior Editor

Nikki Tilley has been gardening for nearly three decades. The former Senior Editor and Archivist of Gardening Know How, Nikki has also authored six gardening books.