Rainforest in a jar

Ir plants, also known as tillandsias, are having their moment. Known for their spiky shape and extremely low maintenance, they are growing increasingly popular for crafting, design and décor. Because they don’t need soil, you can dangle and perch them almost anywhere in your home. Mount them on shells, rocks, slate or driftwood to display in your favourite nook.

“Since the trend started last year, we have seen many freelancers and part timers jumping in the market. Mostly these guys import supplies from China and assemble more or less run-of-the-mill models. There’s little to no designing or creating in the process. We aim to do things a little differently,” says Tran Minh Huy, chief designer at Vuon Thuy Tinh (Crystal Garden), the only company in Ho Chi Minh City that specializes in designing and creating air plants. “We are very aware that we are one of the two pioneers of this industry in Vietnam so we want to set the bar a little higher. We want to put art into air plant terrarium art decor.”

Vuon Thuy Tinh was initially an interior decorating firm but an opportunity last year saw the company shifting and re-focusing on this latest trend in home decoration.

“But creating an air plant terrarium is not like crafting a pretty block of wood or stone. It is a process of trial and error,” says Huy, “especially when we want to add in unique design components, like certain types of rare woods or stone quarries. People don’t realize that we are working with living organisms. Sometimes the plants don’t take to the new stone framework, and they die, and we go back to the drawing board.”

Vuon Thuy Tinh
Order online at www.shopcaykhongkhi.com . This month they plan to unveil a new showroom in Saigon as well as exhibiting their creations at various cafes around the city.

Oi pick