Not everyone is born with a green thumb, myself included, but I still love the presence of plant life in my home. Faux plants are not my style, so I opt for living varieties that have simple needs and low maintenance requirements. Succulents are popular, but they still require soil to grow. Epiphytes, or air plants, require almost nothing. They can grow upon any surface, because they take in nutrients and moisture from the air. They are supermobile, meaning you can switch them around with your decor.

If you'd like to give your air plant a pretty home, you can make a simple terrarium. It's a lovely feature on a coffee table or a dining room table, and it will infuse your space with a little gilded style. Lauren Donaldson Because air plants can grow on any material, you can get really creative when it comes to displaying them. Look for items you already have around the house to repurpose. For this terrarium I used white navy beans from the grocery store. They function like rocks but have a clean, modern look with a superlow price tag. Lauren Donaldson Lauren Donaldson Materials:

• Glass bowl
• Gold spray paint
• Painter’s tape
• Craft knife
• Dried navy beans
• Air plant

Lauren Donaldson 1. Clean your glass bowl and make sure it is dry. Determine which part of the bowl you want painted gold. Tape off the parts of the glass that you want to remain transparent. Since spray paint can get everywhere, you may want to tape the inside of the bowl as well. Lauren Donaldson 2. Once the bowl is taped up, move it to a well-ventilated area. Cover your work surface with newspaper or tarp and spray paint the bowl. When it's thoroughly dry, spray a second coat if desired for more even coverage. Lauren Donaldson 3. Carefully remove the painter’s tape from the bowl. Continue to allow the paint to dry. If any paint has seeped under the tape, carefully scratch it off with a craft knife or similar blade. Lauren Donaldson 4. Fill the bowl with navy beans and place your air plant inside. Lauren Donaldson Maintenance: Air plants are easy to care for, but they still require some maintenance. Optimum locations are those with indirect sunlight. Some direct light is OK, but too much can make them dry out.

Remove your air plants from the bean once a week to soak or rinse them in water. Spritz them with a spray bottle if they looking dry between soakings. Air plants can withstand periods of drought, but moisture helps them thrive. Lauren Donaldson This terrarium is a perfect option for an apartment dweller. The size appropriate for smaller spaces but it is portable and there is no messy soil to clean up.
Lauren Donaldson This project is also great for kids ages 6 and up (any younger and the beans could pose a choking hazard), and helps them learn the skills to maintain a garden of their own.

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Air Plants Go Easy on Indoor Gardeners

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