The Aerium is inspired by the terrarium. We created the name “Aerium” to describe a living plant world enclosed in glass (normally called a terrarium) that contains no “terra,” the Latin word for earth. An Aerium contains tillandsias, plants that in nature grow without soil (usually on the branches of trees). That’s why tillandsias are known as air plants. Thus, “Aerium” is their miniature world. We sell them both in the nursery and in our Web Shop.

Our Aerium Bar
If you’d like to make your own Aerium, we have a DIY station here in the nursery where you can select from natural materials we’ve gathered for you to create your own Aerium composition. It’s open every day, a new permanent fixture here, because people have been having so much fun making their own Aeriums! You can also buy pre-made Aeriums in our Web Shop. We are always happy to help you here in the store with any questions you might have about Aeriums and tillandsias.

They can be found growing wild in the forests, mountains, and deserts of Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. Most are tender plants and don’t like cold weather.

ABOVE: A collection of just a few of the aerium ornaments we have in store and online for the holidays.

Aerium Care
Aeriums do best when they are kept at a mild temperature – not too hot, and not too cold. They thrive in bright areas, but not in direct sunlight under glass.

Mist your Aerium with water once every two weeks (weekly during hot or dry periods) using a spray bottle. It is not necessary to soak the tillandsia. Focus the nozzle through the hole in the Aerium and spritz lightly. The nozzle doesn’t actually have to fit through the hole – only the spritz of water. Take care not to leave standing water inside the Aerium. Tillandsias do not like standing water, and may rot or wither if they sit in too much moisture. Allow the Aerium to dry fully before watering again.

If you’d like to clear water droplets off the inside surface of the glass, try using a cotton swab. To rearrange the natural elements, use a pencil or long-handled tweezers.

When it’s mature and thriving, your tillandsia might flower! In optimal conditions its lifespan can be decades long, depending on the species.