air plant

noun

plural air plants

1

: a plant that derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and grows usually on another plant : epiphyte

especially : any of a genus (Tillandsia) of evergreen perennial plants that are found in tropical regions of the western hemisphere and that grow on other plants, have minimal roots, and obtain nutrients and water solely from the air

2

: a succulent perennial plant (Kalanchoe pinnata) native to Madagascar that has bell-shaped pink flowers and elliptical serrated leaves which produce bulblets and that is commonly grown as an ornamental plant

Examples of air plant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s also a chance to spot balsam trees, air plants, and even parrots and bats in the surrounding forests. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2024

The unpaved state highway cuts through a slough crowded with bald cypress trees laden with Spanish moss and spidery air plants. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2024

Miles below Big Cypress National Preserve, land of elegant cypress trees festooned with air plants, there is oil. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024

It was crowded: dogs, air plants coming out of cracks in the wall, knit hats and forearm tats. —Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

air plant

noun

1

: epiphyte

2

: any of several kalanchoes