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.

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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

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air plant Scientific  

1. See epiphyte

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Etymology

Origin of air plant

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

In summer, add a piece driftwood with a few hanging air plants to break up space, she says.

From Seattle Times

The outfits are made of colorful living material, including headdresses of tillandsia, or air plants, and tresses of huperzia, a tropical clubmoss.

From Seattle Times

Most epiphytes, or air plants, don’t sink their roots into soil to absorb moisture and nutrients, Lara explained.

From Seattle Times

Why not hang those air plants in a spinal row of vertebrae-shaped planters?

From Seattle Times

Add a couple of air plants to a gorgeous piece of driftwood and you have a ready-made tablescape.

From Seattle Times