Knitting Up a Little Planter for our Tillandsias
Hey there, how are you doing? It’s been a strange week here. The temperatures have yo-yo’ed between sweltering and freezing, which is very unusual for this time of the year. We don’t know if we should get our winter coats out of storage or put a bikini on 😀 Even our garden is saying “what the fudge!!?” So we spent the weekend doing some preventative maintenance just in case. Tender new shoots got little blankets of their own and spent about an hour knitting up a little planter for our Tillandsias. They all made a whole bunch of pups, which need a new home.
Tillandsias or “Air Plants” are fascinating little things. They do all their feeding through their leaves rather than their roots and they can grow on almost anything. From rocks, seashells, forks, clay tubes, leather and scraps of wood. As long as the wood hasn’t been pressure treated.
You can even combine different things to show off your air plants like I did with this one.
Okay, before I show you how to knit your own Tillandsia planters, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
What you need to make a knitted planter
- A scrap piece of wood
- Jute twine
- Knitting needles
- Embroidery needle
This knitted planter is suitable for small Tillandsias or succulents. I put tillies in mine.
How to make a knitted planter
I wasn’t 100% sure what this piece of scrap wood had been stained with so we sanded it down and used a heat gun to bring out that beautiful grain, before sealing the wood with a non-toxic outdoor sealer.
There are many different ways to attach Tillandsias to wood. Soft wire, elastic stretch cord, or glue. We normally use E6000 because it’s waterproof and non-toxic to plants, but I wanted to try something a little different this time. So instead of gluing the Tillies on, I used natural jute twine to loosely knit three rectangles, which were gathered at the bottom to form small pockets.
Knitting keeps me from unraveling
The pockets need to be “loose” to allow for proper airflow. Tillies don’t like feeling smothered.
I used a paper template to figure out where to drill some holes so I could sew the pockets onto the piece of wood.
Adding the Air Plants
Once all the pockets had been sewn on they were filled with a tiny bit of coconut fiber and the Tillandsia pups. The coconut fiber helps “anchor” the Tillies until they get a little bigger. It should encourage them to grow some roots too.
Tillies thrive in bright indirect light and don’t mind a few hours of direct sun in the morning or afternoon.
We’ve hung ours outside on a western wall that gets early morning sun and dappled shade for the rest of the day.
I don’t know about you, but I’m loving the look.
We’ll watch our pups for the next few weeks and if the weather carries on being temperamental we’ll bring them inside for a bit. Just until they’re settled. Or I might even bake up a few clay cubes and keep them there while Mother Nature figures out what season we’re in.
But I would love to know what do you think? Would you knit up a plater for your air plants?
If you like the idea of making a knitted planter, don’t forget to pin it for later.
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, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
It is so beautiful, love the way you knitted the cool pocket for the plant. I really love knitting. Great job, admire the pictures.
Reply
Thanks so much Adil
Post by post I discover your creativity! It is amazing the way you combine matterials, the way you “build” something! I am allways surprised how you think of your constructions… I just love your knitting planters
Thanks so very, very much my friend <3
What an interesting plant and, of course, only you can build a perfect housing for it. Amazing, Michelle!
? Thank you Jas ?
The weather has been fickle where I live as well. This week, temperatures are well above normal. It doesn’t feel like fall at all. I love your planter, and I’m super impressed with your knitting skills. Those little planter pockets are adorable! It looks great! I hope your pups do well in their new home. 🙂
Thanks so much Amy, it looks like the pups are real happy with there new home ?
I just realized we have Tillandsias at home! We call them Air Plants and we have them hooked on a wire but your planter is lovely, love how you burned the wood to show the grain. Yours are fortunate plants!
Thanks so much Pili. Have yours flowered yet?
I haven’t knitted in years but I think I can do this. What an adorable idea. I love the texture. This will probably work for orchid also.
What a great idea, I’m sure it would they grow in similar conditions. Thanks for the idea Debra
Those are so cute! I didn’t realize they were air plants until you said so, then I recognized them. Love that they gather nutrients through their leaves, & love that they take root anywhere. They look so nice and settled on your board. I agree that the weather is a little crazy here too.
? I hope they do settle in nicely, they’ve only been in there for a bout two weeks, but they seem really happy
Wow!! I think this is the best DIY I have ever seen. Perfect for wall decorating in our garage. You are so creative and talented to make this one of a kind tillandsias planters. So impressive.
Thanks so much Elizabeth ?
Wow!! You have a creative and brilliant idea. This tillandsias planter looks so gorgeous and unique. Perfect for your garden. I think I need to try some DIY like this. I am looking forward to that.
Oh I hope you do Angela. DIY’ing is so much fun
What a fabulous idea, Michelle! I love the rustic, natural look. It’s so beautiful!
xo Julia
Thanks so much Julia ?
Michelle, fantastic idea to knit holders for the tillies! I love how this all turned out, it’s beautiful and rustic and just so awesome!! I hope the weather gets evened out soon. 🙂
Me too Keri, me too 😀
Wow! This diy tillandsia planter looks so creative and awesome. I really want this for my garden. It’s a perfect hanging plant.
Thanks so much Candy
Ahh so cute! I wouldn’t have thought of this. What a cool fusion of macromet (can’t spell which is funny cause I’m a writer… shh don’t tell anyone haha) and I am not even sure what – wood?! lol
LOL Amy, I struggle with that word too ?
They are so cute, what a great idea! Do they last in the rain?
They do ? In the wild they grow on trees so they love being outside. They just need a little spritz of water once or twice a week if it’s dry and hot
Wow knitting something like that is so cool. I would never think to knit a plant holder. What a great idea! I love how you really walk us through the process.
Thanks so much Nina, I really appreciate that
These are such a cute idea for an indoor planter. This would make a great gift idea too!
They do make lovely gifts ?
The weather has been crazy here too, Michelle. Typically, we’d have fall temperatures in September. The last few years, I can wear shorts & flip flops in October. I’ve been keeping shorts, capris, & jeans where I can easily get to them! ? This project is so cute! A good way to do the wood challenge & protect your plants. ?
Isn’t it weird how the weather has changed so much lately but it’s a good idea to keep some of those cross seasonal cloths in the wardrobe just in case. I’m real glad you liked the knitted planter Samantha though, thanks for that
You can knit too!? What can’t you do, Michelle? These planters are incredible
LOL Angie, there’s a lot I can’t do….like cooking and crocheting…. ?
What a cute idea to knit the little planters and I love air plants, now I need some too! I love the look and it´s such a unique project, I don´t think I´ve ever seen anything like this!
Thanks so much Katrin, they are really special plants
If I am honest I don’t know an awful lot about plants.. I had no idea about air plants. Once again you’ve gone and created something that looks perfect and like it would cost a bomb to buy in a fancy garden center! I am always inspired by your creativity!
Thanks sooooooo much Ithfifi ?
The temperatures have been yo-yo’ing here as well … but I think fall is here in full swing and the winter is just around the corner. BUT … let’s talk about this knit+planter. I think I want it. It is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. Although all my plants die, but if I had this I would try harder to keep them alive 😀
Yeah, it seems like the weather is a bit strange all over the world right now. Thanks so much for your lovely comment Tanvi, you’re so sweet
I’m impressed by your talent. That’s so creative, I don’t know if I can do that myself. I love it though.
Ahhhh Amer, thank you ?
That has to be the most creative project I have seen yet. Good thing to keep you from unraveling. I need to get creative like this with crocheting. Wow!
Thanks so much Stephanie, I really wish I could crochet though. That’s something I’ve never earnt how to do
I didn’t know the air plants are called Tillandsias! I love what you did with them wow. What a great idea. I would love to create one too! The knitted pockets are everything!
Thanks so much Carolann ?
This is so beautiful, love the way you have knitted the cool pocket for the plant. I love knitting, learned it from my grandmother. Great job, love the pictures.
Thanks so much Preet, my gran taught me how to knit too ?
Wow, this is very beautiful. Such a cute and smart idea. I’m not good in planting, but I would love to try this too, I love that plants.
Isn’t it just the most awesome little plant ever. Thanks so much Shubhada
Michelle, I love the look of this planter. And the tillandsias or so pretty against the jute and wood. So cool. This would be a perfect planter for a small area, or for on the side of a cupboard near our kitchen window. You are so creative. Pinning to make one for our home. BTW, I think you nailed the flatlay, but you definitely nailed this wood project!
Awwwww Nikki, thank you. You always make my day with your comments. Tillies love being in kitchens where there’s good light. I think they enjoy the cooking steam. They would never survive in our kitchen though, not much cooking happens here ?
omg! Thats like so pretty, I think I should do the same thing. Thanks for sharing this
Thanks so much Jossy ?
Oh this is so cute! I am loving the idea! I am in the process of buying my flat right now and this would make such fab decor!
You’re so right, it’s perfect for bringing a little greenery into a small space. Good luck with your new flat BTW. That’s always so much fun
How cute is this! I wish I knew how to knit. I’ve tried to learn, but never got the hang of it. You did a great job – and that wood you chose does have a nice grain.
Thank you Alicia. Knitting I can do but I sure wish I knew how to crochet. That’s something I would love to be able to do
What a beauty, Michelle! I love your great knitted pockets for the plants! Kisses, my friend.
And something else: You are not late for my birthday candy. There will be two more draws! If you want to participate, please visit my blog again and leave a comment under the post “Birthday candy”. There is also a picture on the top of my sidebar. I will be glad if you decide to participate. Kisses, my friend.
Thanks so much Mia, I was worried that I’d missed your birthday in October. Hope you have a great week xoxoxox
Hi, Michele, I can’t believe, that you had used jute twine to knit those small pockets for your plants. This DIY project is awesome dear. After reading your post, now I know about these Tillandsia pups, I am not good in gardening or plants 🙂 🙂
Thanks so much Sadhna ? I’ll make you a deal. I’ll teach you the little I know about plants if you can teach me how to make those delicious dishes of yours
My inner boho came out with this one! How cool is that, knit pockets sewn onto wood – brilliant! Pinned
Ahhhh now it all makes sense. It’s that inner boho of yours that makes you create all your special pieces Marie ?
Okay LOVE those little air plants first. And this is just adorable!!!! I really need to learn to knit! Ill be pinning this for sure!!
Oh, and we have had unusual temps here too so our bulbs are coming out trying to figure out what season it is 🙂
It seems the weather is really crazy all over the world right now and those poor bulbs should be sleeping right now. Hopefully things will return to normal soon. Hope you have a happy week Deborah ?
Michelle these are so precious. The fact that they grow from the leaves and not the roots. You did a wonderful job in creating a special home just for them. They will feel loved and thrive even if the weather is acting all crazy.
Aren’t they just the most amazing little plants and their flowers are so unusual too. I’m hoping they like their new home. We have a few more pups that need to be rehoused, but I’m working on that one ?
Love your knitted pockets for your Tillandsia pups. I have never had one before but have always thought they were cool plants. Really like how you burn the wood to bring out the wood grains. Super cute!
Thanks so much Linda. Tillies are so rewarding and they make the most unusual flowers. They’re part of the bromeliad family and as soon as the flower dies they start making their babies. Hopefully these babies will make some pups of their own by next year
I didn’t even know that they flowered. I guess I’m going to have to go get me one. ?
They do an the flowers are this gorgeous combination of red and purple on a long spikey kinda of stalk. Very unusual ?