Description
About the black murex shell
The black murex shell is Muricanthus nigritus, a large murex from the Gulf of California. Its white body carries bold black spines and black banding, so the overall effect is dark and dramatic. Few natural shells have this much contrast.
It is one of the larger and heavier shells we sell, with a wide aperture that takes a medium plant. The spines give it a sculptural outline that reads well from across a shop.
We sell it singly at $1.50. Because each shell is natural, the amount of black and the length of the spines vary from piece to piece.
Shells ship with your plants. A quantity of heavy shells may add to shipping, and we bill any difference separately.
For a shop, the black murex is the statement shell. Set a silver plant in it and the contrast does the work. It also pairs with the pink murex, so the two make a natural two-tone set on a shelf.
Using the black murex shell with air plants
Set a medium plant into the aperture with its base inside the lip. The weight and the spines hold the shell steady on a table. However, add a dab of E-6000 Tillandsia Glue if the shell will hang, because a medium plant is heavy enough to shift. To hang it, drill a small hole near the spire and use fishing line or Tillandsia Wire, or set the shell in a Seashell Tillandsia Hanger. Mist the plant in place, since the aperture drains. Then lift it out every couple of weeks for a full soak, and let it dry before it goes back.
- Fits: One medium plant, for example caput-medusae, bulbosa, small harrisii or a stricta clump.
- Mounting: Set in the aperture, then glue if it will hang.
- Watering: Mist in place, or lift out to soak.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer in the soak.
- Placement: Table or hanger in bright indirect light.
- Care of the shell: Spines chip if dropped, so pack it well.
Browse more Air Plant Displays, pick plants from our Air Plants, or read the air plant care guide.
