DIY Air Plant Terrarium: Easy Gilded Bowl Project

Not everyone has a green thumb (myself included), but I still love plant life in my home. Faux plants aren't my style, so I opt for living varieties with simple needs. Succulents are popular but need soil. Epiphytes (air plants) require almost nothing — they grow on any surface, absorbing nutrients and moisture from air. They're super mobile, meaning you can switch them with your decor.

If you'd like to give your air plant a pretty home, make a simple terrarium. It's a lovely coffee or dining table feature that infuses space with gilded style.

Because air plants grow on any material, you can get really creative with displays. Repurpose items you already have. For this terrarium I used white navy beans from the grocery store — they function like rocks but have a clean, modern look with a super-low price tag.

Materials

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

Steps

1. Prep: Clean and dry glass bowl. Tape off parts to remain transparent. Tape inside too since spray paint gets everywhere.
2. Paint: Move to well-ventilated area. Cover work surface. Spray paint bowl. When dry, add second coat if desired for even coverage.
3. Reveal: Carefully remove painter's tape. Let paint continue drying. Scrape any seepage with craft knife.
4. Assemble: Fill bowl with navy beans and place air plant inside.

Maintenance

Air plants are easy but need some care. Optimum: indirect sunlight. Some direct light OK, but too much dries them out.

Remove air plants from beans weekly to soak or rinse. Spritz with spray bottle if dry between soakings. They withstand drought but thrive with moisture.

Perfect for apartment dwellers — size-appropriate, portable, no messy soil.

Great for kids 6+ (younger = choking hazard on beans), teaching garden maintenance skills.

More:
Air Plants Go Easy on Indoor Gardeners
8 Space-Savvy Gardens