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Some plants grow on trees without taking anything from them; others tap into a host for water or nutrients. That difference separates support-seeking epiphytes—such as air plants, many orchids and several ferns—from parasites such as mistletoe. Here are five striking examples, plus practical guidance for growing Tillandsia at home.
How plants that grow on other plants differ
An epiphyte uses another plant, often a tree, as a place to attach and grow. It gets its water and nutrients from sources such as rain, debris and the surrounding air, rather than feeding on its support. A parasite connects to living host tissue and takes resources from it.
The distinction is about how a plant gets resources, not how unusual it looks. A Venus flytrap catches insects, for example, but that is a separate adaptation—not a form of growing on another plant.
| Plant | Relationship to a host or support | Standout feature | Growing context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tillandsia air plants | Uses a support for attachment; not a parasite | Sculptural leaves that absorb moisture | Can be grown indoors with suitable light, airflow and watering |
| Epiphytic orchids | Many use trees for support without parasitizing them | Flowers range from conspicuous to small and easily missed | Choose species suited to the growing environment |
| Staghorn fern | Epiphytic; attaches to a tree or other support | Large, nest-forming fronds | UF/IFAS guidance cited here is specific to south Florida |
| Resurrection fern | Grows on branches and trunks | Fronds change appearance as they dry and rehydrate | Described in UF/IFAS’s south Florida epiphyte guidance |
| Strangler fig | Begins on a host tree and can eventually engulf it | Roots descend around the host trunk | A tropical or subtropical forest adaptation, not a routine small-garden choice |
1. Tillandsia: air plants with no need for a soil pot
Tillandsia attach to trees or other supports instead of rooting in soil. Their roots mainly hold them in place; their leaves take up moisture. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) describes water-absorbing trichomes on those leaves, while Penn State Extension says the genus includes about 660 species (Penn State Extension, 2024).
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- Soil-Free Care and Watering: Experience hassle-free maintenance with our assorted Tillandsia air plants. Thriving without soil, these versatile beauties require only infrequent waterings. Simply soak them in room-temperature water for 20-30 minutes every 1-2 weeks, ensuring a low-maintenance and vibrant display. Place them in bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth.
- Air Plant Decor: Elevate your space with a variety of unique Tillandsia air plant species. Perfect for crafting captivating terrarium displays, stylish home decor, and DIY projects that bring a touch of natural charm to any occasion.
- Adaptable Across Seasons: Embrace the ever-changing beauty of Tillandsia air plants. Their appearances vary throughout the year, reflecting natural growth patterns and seasonal shifts, ensuring a dynamic and engaging garden experience.
- Carefully Curated Assortment: Our collection features a wide variety of Tillandsia species, grown in San Diego, California and thoughtfully chosen for their beauty and resilience. Enjoy the freshest and most stunning selection, with availability that may vary seasonally for a consistently vibrant display.
- What to Expect: Unbox a well-rounded air plant collection with both familiar and exciting species. While the assorted air plant collection includes some repeat species, our collection is designed for diversity. As the industry leader, our assorted Tillandsia pack guarantees a 100% health guarantee upon delivery, providing ultimate peace of mind for your online plant purchase.
That variety matters for care: a single schedule will not suit every species or home. For indoor growing, the RHS recommends bright, diffused light and ventilation. It advises immersing air plants in rainwater during the growing season, then draining and drying them between waterings. Penn State likewise recommends bright indirect light, regular watering and airflow. Misting alone is not sufficient, according to the RHS.
Mounting and basic care
- Choose a spot with bright, indirect or diffused light, rather than assuming every Tillandsia tolerates the same conditions.
- Provide airflow and water in a way suited to the plant and its environment. After soaking, let it drain and dry fully between waterings.
- If you mount the plant, use a suitable support and avoid a surface that holds water. RHS notes that air plants can be tied, wired or glued to supports; a display mount or mounting wire is optional, not a requirement.
For cultivation details, see Penn State Extension’s Tillandsia houseplant guidance and the RHS air-plant care advice. Local conditions and the particular species affect what works.
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- Care Instructions: Our assorted Tillandsia Air Plant pack thrives with minimal care. Place in bright, indirect light, and water by misting or soaking weekly, ensuring proper air circulation for healthy growth and longevity.
- Diverse Variety: Curated for plant enthusiasts, our pack offers a wide assortment of Tillandsia species, showcasing varying sizes, shapes, and colors, ideal for unique home decor arrangements and creative projects.
- Air-Purifying Beauties: These Tillandsia Air Plants not only adorn your space but also naturally purify the air. Enjoy their beauty while benefiting from their ability to enhance the air quality in your home or office environment.
- Versatile Display Options: Explore diverse presentation possibilities! These air plants suit terrariums, hanging displays, driftwood mounts, and craft projects, infusing charm and vitality into your chosen setting.
- Quality Guarantee: Rest assured, our Tillandsia Air Plant pack promises top-notch quality. As industry leaders in plant care, we guarantee healthy and vibrant plants upon delivery, ensuring a delightful and thriving botanical experience.
2. Epiphytic orchids: flowers in the canopy
Many orchids grow in tree canopies, where they use branches as support rather than feeding on the tree. Their flowers can be dramatic, but some orchid blooms are small and less noticeable. The UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley explicitly distinguishes epiphytic orchids from parasites.
A Venus slipper orchid’s pouch-shaped flower can look like a trap. Berkeley explains that it deceives insects in a way that helps with pollination; that resemblance does not make the orchid carnivorous. Orchid care varies, so the U.S. Botanic Garden advises choosing orchids suited to the environment where they will be grown. See the UC Botanical Garden’s orchid, fern and carnivorous plant collection and the U.S. Botanic Garden’s gardening tips.
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- AIR PLANT SIZE: Approximately 1-3 inches tall and 1-2 inches wide
- 12-PACK / MULTIPLE USES: Use in Containers, Globes, Terrariums, Displays, Vertical Gardens, Party Favors, As A Succulent Alternative, In Weddings & For Events
- EASY-TO-CARE-FOR: Air Plants (Genus: Tillandsia) are hardy bromeliad plants from Central and South America that don't require soil to grow. Simply soak them in water for 20 minutes once a week and let them dry out. They require indirect, but bright light. A care instruction card from Air Plant Shop will be included in every order.
- HAND PACKAGED & PICKED: Our shippers are trained to only send the healthiest living plants. We pack every kit and plant assortment with quality and care. All our plants come with health guarantee. Let us know if you are not completely happy with your order and we will send you new plants.
- ABOUT BLOOMING / COLOR: Plants will not always arrive in bloom with red and purple color. However, most will bloom 2-3 times a year. See photos for what the non-blooming green plants look like.
3. Staghorn fern: a living nest on a support
Platycerium bifurcatum, the staghorn fern, makes an especially bold display. UF/IFAS describes its large, flattened fronds growing from smooth scales that wrap around a tree or another support to form a nest. The plant list gives a typical size of 3–6 feet and a light range from light to full shade in its south Florida context; those figures are regional guidance, not universal specifications for every climate or growing situation. Consult UF/IFAS’s south Florida epiphyte guide before applying that advice elsewhere.
4. Resurrection fern: fronds that change with moisture
Resurrection fern, listed as Polypodium polypodioides and also as Pleopeltis polypodioides, grows by rhizomes and can cover branches and trunks. UF/IFAS describes its fronds as green and unfurled when wet, then gray and scaly when dry. The change is a visible response to moisture—not evidence that the plant has literally died and returned to life. The same UF/IFAS guide provides the regional context for this fern.
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- A curated mix of air plants with diverse textures and forms for creative displays, 2-3 inch tall
- Grows without soil, making setup simple for containers, mounts, and decorative holders
- Ideal for desks, windowsills, shelves, and compact living areas
- Perfect for terrariums, glass containers, hanging planters, shelves, desks, and creative DIY arrangements
- As the plant matures, it can gradually show more vibrant tones depending on its growth cycle
5. Strangler fig: a dramatic forest strategy
Strangler figs are tropical or subtropical trees whose sticky seeds often arrive on a branch, carried there by an animal. Kew describes roots growing down the host trunk and eventually engulfing it. The fig can contribute to the host’s death by constricting trunks and roots and competing for water, nutrients and sunlight.
The name emphasizes the threat to the host, but the relationship has a wider ecological context. Kew reports that strangler figs provide food and habitat and may help support host trees during severe storms. As Kew research assistant Grace Brewer puts it: “Strangler figs are not just destructive parasites; they are very ecologically important in tropical areas.” This is a striking forest adaptation, not a practical recommendation for an ordinary small garden. Read Kew’s account of strangler figs as killers or bodyguards.
A useful contrast: mistletoe is a parasite
Mistletoe grows attached to branches, but unlike an epiphytic orchid it connects to host tissue through structures called haustoria. Most mistletoes photosynthesize with their own green leaves while taking water and dissolved minerals from the host. The Australian National Botanic Gardens describes a small proportion as also apparently using organic nutrients carried in the host’s phloem.
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- LARGE VARIETY OF SIZES AND SPECIES: You will receive a total of 12 air plants that are a wide assortment of species, each ranging from 2 to 5 inches in size.
- EASY CARE HOUSE PLANTS: Tillandsia Air Plants are extremely low maintenance and easy to care for. They require only a moderate amount of light, no soil, and only need watering about once a week.
- DIY HOME DECOR: These live plants are also great for do it yourself terrarium kits, holders, and hanging planters. Your creative ideas are the only thing that will limit what you can do with them.
The Gardens’ 2012-updated page puts the broader group at about 1,400 mistletoe species; that figure is not a count of European mistletoe alone. See the Australian National Botanic Gardens’ explanation of mistletoe.
Why carnivorous plants belong in a different category
Carnivory is another striking plant adaptation, but it does not mean a plant grows on or parasitizes another plant. Kew explains that carnivorous plants generally live in nutrient-poor soils and capture prey to obtain nutrients that are difficult to get from those soils. Berkeley notes that some pitcher plants use enzyme-filled traps. A Venus flytrap or pitcher plant can make an interesting companion to this subject, but it is not an epiphyte on that basis. Learn more from Kew’s overview of carnivorous plants.
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