air plant

American  

noun

1. an epiphyte.

2. Also called life plant.  a tropical plant, Kalanchoe pinnata, of the stonecrop family, having pale green flowers tinged with red and new plants sprouting at the leaf notches.

---

air plant British  

noun

1. an epiphyte, esp an orchid of the large Old World tropical genus Aerides, grown for its white scented flowers spotted with red, purple, or rose, or a bromeliad, esp of the genus Tillandsia

---

air plant Scientific  

1. See epiphyte

---

Etymology

Origin of air plant

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Cheryl Foers, who lives in Quintrell Gardens, said: "It was a freak, everything was twirling in the air, plant pots and so forth."

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2025

The largest air plant, Tillandsia xerographica, a spiral of silver tentacle-like leaves, is another favorite.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 20, 2023

A stack of vintage books with a pretty candle or air plant on top can also provide visual “warmth,” she says.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2022

They are perfectly sized to hold an air plant to adorn the home year-round.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2021

Blows had become frequent, and it was evident that the air plant was inadequate for driving four tunnels at once in the open material east of the Manhattan rock.

From Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXVIII, Sept. 1910 The New York Tunnel Extension of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The East River Tunnels. Paper No. 1159 by Brace, James H.