Air Plant Shop is Critter-Friendly! By Cameron Counts

My crested gecko Kevin was slow to adjust to her enclosure. Adorned with hanging artificial plants and ledges for her to climb, she seemed comfortable, but something was missing. Though “cresties” can thrive with fake plants, real plants help tremendously with humidity maintenance and more than that, their overall comfort. Before adding Tillandsia air plants to her enclosure, Kevin spent her time in one of only a couple spots and wasn’t active at night, the time when she’s supposed to have the most energy due to her nocturnal nature. I grew concerned for my crestie’s happiness. After receiving air plants, cork bark, and driftwood from Air Plant Shop and adding them to her tank, Kevin’s enclosure became home. 

As someone who is intimidated by certain plants’ upkeep, like sun exposure needs, soil preferences, watering regimens, and regular repotting, I initially opted for artificial ones, unknowingly overlooking the perfect plant for Kevin’s reptilian needs. Air plants’ care, compared to most other species of plants, is simple. In fact, their watering regimen aligns similarly with Kevin’s need for a gentle mist once or twice per day due to their strong preference for humid environments! As soon as her new plants, Cork Bark, and Driftwood arrived from Air Plant Shop, I arranged them in spots I felt she would gravitate toward in her enclosure. Kevin’s favorite plant, Tillandsia Ionantha, is perched atop a piece of cork bark. Since their addition, I find Kevin nestled by it most days as she sleeps.

Air plants make beautiful decorations for your home or office, but they also serve as companions to your critters! Kevin’s happiness has increased significantly since adding air plants, cork bark, and driftwood to her environment. She is the most active she’s been since I adopted her - spending her nights jumping from cork bark to driftwood to air plant and back! I’ve slowly gotten over my resistance to caring for plants and now look forward to watering them as part of my routine. There aren’t many “gifts” out there for cresties and other reptilian creatures, but air plants are the perfect hassle-free way to improve their quality of life. Air plants, cork bark, and driftwood are marvelous ways to treat your reptiles or your reptile-owning loved ones! I look forward to adding to our shared collection over the years we spend together.