https://www.homejelly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/My-inspiration.jpg
Air succulents bring nature anywhere you wish

Air succulents bring nature anywhere you wish.

Air succulents.

Hmm.

It’s almost hard to believe. But, yes…these succulents can actually exist in the air, without soil.

How?

They actually absorb the nutrients they need from dust, decaying matter in the air (yeah, I don’t even want to think too hard about that one) and from watering – a spritzing  with a spray bottle once a week (2-3 for best results) is all they need, along with a good 2-hour dunking every 2-3 weeks will keep them happy. I love and learned a lot from this air plant care post which goes into lots of detail for us green-thumb nerds.

Now, on to today’s project!

Recently, I was given the honor of becoming one of HomeRight’s DIY Experts! I was also thrilled to learn they have recently developed a small version of their spray shelters – yay! I knew exactly how I was going to test it…

On a not-so-recent walk with Krinkles, we happened past my neighbor’s garage sale. It was around noon, so by this time, she was practically flagging people down just to TAKE her leftover bric-a-brac.

See also: Prune ‘n Plant Your Way to Sensational Succulent Terrariums & Containers

I nabbed a tin star that I recently made over (coming soon), as well as two metal trays that I originally wanted to make into side tables.

Yeah, I’m a bit of a fickle DIYer.

Then, a couple months ago, my sister-in-law, Whitney, came up and stayed at the Shade – a local boutique hotel here in Manhattan Beach. I saw these hanging in one of their conference rooms, and BOOM! I knew how I was going to repurpose those metal trays!

My inspiration

My inspiration.

I was thinking what y’all could use and thought a picture frame with chicken wire would absolutely work perfectly (coming soon). I had to modify my trays, but it was very easy with the help of my hand-dandy tin snips.

But, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself…here, now, is the how-to:

Hanging Air Succulent Planter Supplies:

Hanging air suuclents planter supplies

Hanging air succulents planter supplies.

Add ornamental moss - it's just fun!

Add ornamental moss – it’s just fun!

• hanging trays

• air succulents (I found mine on amazon, 10 for $24.50)

• spray paint (I used paint and primer, flat black)

• spray shelter

• tin snips

• hammer and pliers

• card table and tarp (or newspapers)

Optional:

• ornamental moss (you can find at craft ‘n floral stores – my 2oz. bag was from amazon for $13.49)

Instructions:

1. Soak your succulents. To give them a good start, soak them for a couple of hours – you never know how long they’ve been without water. Shake off any excess water, then allow them to dry. Luckily, they’ll have lots of opportunity to dry out in this vertical planter.

Soak your air succulents prior to hanging

Soak your air succulents prior to hanging.

2. Clean/Dust surface of tray.

3. Create holes for air succulents. If you’re using chicken wire, you probably won’t need to do this step. If you’ve got a smaller metal mesh material like mine, you’ll want to use your tin snips to create larger openings to stick your plants through. Use your pliers or to bend the metal back. If your tray frame is bent anywhere, use your hammer to form back into the shape you want – or leave as is!

Using your tin snips, create holes for your succulents

Using your tin snips, create holes for your succulents.

Note: test out each hole with a succulent so that it’s not too big or too small.

Make sure the holes are big enough for your plants

Make sure the holes are big enough for your plants.

4. Spray your succulents tray. Then, allow to dry.

Spraying the metal a modern flat black inside my new small spray shelter

Spraying the metal a modern flat black inside my new small spray shelter. Be sure to paint all surfaces including the mesh.

I used my new HomeRight small spray shelter and LOVED it! It opened up almost automatically and fit perfectly on top of a card table. I’m guessing the product designer did this on purpose…so clever!

The HomeRight small spray shelter perfectly fits on a card table

The HomeRight small spray shelter perfectly fits on a card table. So convenient!

5. Insert your succulents. No wire, glue or soil required! Easy – breezy!

insert each succulent...with love

insert each succulent…with love!

I added some decorative moss at the bottom to create a little drama.

Add moss to give your air succulents a little company

Add moss to give your air succulents a little company…and drama!

You’re done!

Natural, simple air succulents also add a lot of texture and interest to any wall

Natural, simple air succulents also add a lot of texture and interest to any wall.

Air succulents display beautifully

Air succulents display beautifully.

 

All photography by Skaie Knox, HomeJelly

This post was sponsored by

HomeRight-LogoHomeRight has provided me with the small spray shelter used within this project. I was also compensated for my time and this blog post. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience…I wouldn’t have it any other way!

More Jelly