Simple Hanging Clay Tubes – Air Plant Décor
There are so many different ways to display air plants, from feathered boho pockets to head-scratchers and living 3D art, but sometimes simple is better. That way your Tillandsia can be the star of the show. And these hanging clay tubes sure do just that in my humble opinion.
They look gorgeous on their own or grouped together for a beautifully curated look.
And as your collection grows you can play around with different shapes and sizes to create striking wall art.
The tubes are quick, budget-friendly, and easy to make and can be customized to display a variety of species in different ways. I added a T. funckiana to this oval one. Isn’t she lovely? She produces bright crimson flowers and in her natural habitat, she loves hanging around on cliff faces.
The tubes aren’t really suitable for Spanish Moss. It needs fresh air to flow over all their strands. Otherwise they dry out and die. You can, however, still hang long moss under the tubes or drape it over something else.
Making and hanging the clay tubes is a breeze and they won’t overwhelm these otherworldly, low-maintenance plants.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make your own. But, before we get there, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
What you need
- Polymer clay
- Rolling pin or empty bottle
- Skewer
- Rope or cord
How to make hanging clay tubes
These are probably one of the quickest and easiest air plant holders I’ve ever made.
Knead your clay to soften it up.
Form the clay into a wormish shape.
Use a bottle or rolling pin and going in the same direction, flatten the clay so it’s about 5 mm (1/4”) thick.
Gently pull and stretch the flattened clay lengthwise to make it longer.
To add a little texture and interest, tear the one edge of the flattened clay.
If you prefer something a little more perfect, you can cut the edges with a craft knife. Fold the shape to form a clay tube and overlap the edges.
Check that the air plant fits.
Use a skewer, toothpick, or pencil to make a hole where the clay tube overlaps. The hole needs to be big enough for your rope or cord to fit through. On the opposite side of the tube make two holes.
Place the clay tubes on a baking tray. The opening should face upwards so the weight of clay doesn’t sink in on itself. You’ll just end up with a squished tube. Bake according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the tubes have cooled down, paint or decorate them to suit your décor style. I left mine as is. Cut a long piece of cord or twine. Starting at the top hole, thread the cord through the hole, then down into the bottom holes and up again. (see piccy below).
You should end up with something like this.
Nestle the Tillies in between the cord and you’re done.
Hanging the clay tubes
When it comes to hanging the tubes you have so many choices. I would have loved to hang mine from a rusty garden rake, but couldn’t find one so settled for a branch instead.
As your air plant collection grows you can quickly bake up another tube and add it to the mix. They’re ideal for displaying a variety of species, and won’t overpower the Tillies.
The clay tubes are simple to make and a gorgeous way to add a touch of greenery to a blank wall.
What do you think? Have you made any interesting air plants holders to put your Tillies on display?
Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear about it.
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Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉
And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.
And as always, I wish you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe how lovely this display looks. I have started collecting air plants and have a few hanging from hooks in our bathroom. It’s the only place that gets enough light for them to thrive without dealing with cold spells. We’ve had a few of those recently. These tubes would look much better than the boring metal wire I have now.
Once you get started with Tillies it’s hard to stop. Our collection just gets bigger and bigger all the time. I’m glad you enjoyed the tutorial, Janet and if you get a chance share some pics once you’re done. I would love to see how yours turn out.