Whether you are mounting air plants on driftwood, rock, or other hard surfaces, getting the air plant to adhere can be difficult.
One of the ways that many folks have had success is by using glue.
This article will look at a few types of glue that can be used on air plants and some tips and techniques.
What Type of Glue Should Be Used on Air Plants?
The type of glue that you use is important. You want to make sure that it will not harm the air plant and that it will provide a strong hold.
It’s best to use plant-safe glue, such as E6000, specifically made for Tillandsias.
Some companies may recommend cyanoacrylate gel, also known as super glue. This can work, but it’s not ideal and can be dangerous if not used properly. Hot glue is another alternative. However, you have to be careful here as the hot tip can easily damage the air plant leaves.
Lastly, we recommend not using Elmer’s glue as it’s water-soluble and will loosen over time.
Applying Glue to Air Plants
When you are ready to glue your air plant, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Make sure the surface you are gluing the air plant to is clean and dry. Otherwise, the glue will not adhere properly.
- Apply a small amount of glue to the surface. You don’t need a lot, just enough to give the plant a good hold.
- Press the air plant gently into the glue and hold it there for a few seconds to allow the glue to set.
- Once you have glued the air plant in place, it’s important to let the glue dry completely before watering the plant. This can take a few hours, or even up to 24 hours, depending on your glue type.
Watering Air Plants that Have Been Glued
Depending on where you mounted the air plant, you may not be able to submerge it in water. In this case, you will need to water the plant by misting it with a spray bottle.
Make sure to mist the plant thoroughly until the leaves are completely wet. Doing this once a week should be sufficient.
If you mounted the air plant in an area where it can be submerged, you could water it as usual. Just make sure that the glue is completely dry before watering. Of course, you’ll also want to shake off any excess water to prevent root rot.
What Can you Glue an Air Plant To?
Air plants can be glued to all sorts of surfaces. The most popular option is driftwood, but you can also use rocks, shells, glass, ceramic, metal, copper wire, chicken wire, crystals, etc.
Just make sure that the surface is smooth so that the air plant can get a good grip. Textured surfaces will make it more difficult for glue and plant to adhere.
Common Questions
Help, I changed my mind and need to remove the air plant!
No problem, just carefully pry the air plant off of the surface. If there is any glue residue left behind, you can remove it with acetone or alcohol. Alternatively, if your air plant produced offsets (pups), you can simply remove the offset and replant it elsewhere.
How long does glue take to set?
Initially, the air plant should be good to go within a few minutes. However, it’s best to give the glue a full day to set before watering the plant. For example, Flex Glue will set in about 24-48 hours, while E6000 can take between 24 and 72 hours.
Samantha Taylor is the Senior Editor of airplantcentral.com. Her love for plants goes back to her childhood when she spent hours in the garden with her dear grandfather. As an aspiring botanist, she started her own business specializing in air plants.