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

Close on either side were eerie woods flooded with shallow swamp water, the trees’ shaggy trunks festooned with air plants and the occasional ghost orchid. —Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025

Some water-soluble fertilizer formulations are specifically made for air plants, otherwise try orchid fertilizer. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025

Parent air plants can live for a year or more after flowering. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Feb. 2025

Exotic-looking bromeliads, air plants’ big sisters, are also a good choice for adding a little holiday color, but their tough leaves help deter chewing. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for air plant

• decant
• descant
• eggplant
• enchant
• explant
• implant
• preplant
• recant
• replant
• secant
• supplant
• transplant

Kids Definition

air plant

noun

1

: epiphyte

2

: any of several kalanchoes