What Are Epiphytes and How to Provide the Best Care?

What are Epiphytes?

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants for physical support. Unlike parasitic plants, they do not derive nutrients from their hosts but rather from the moisture and nutrients available in their surrounding environment.

This group of plants includes some of the most fascinating and beautiful species. They are often found in tropical and subtropical rainforests, where humidity is high and competition for light is fierce.

What Plants are Epiphytes?

Epiphytes represent a significant and diverse group of plants, comprising about 10% of the total vascular plant flora. There are estimated to be over 28,000 species of epiphytes worldwide. These species are primarily found among several plant families, notably the Orchidaceae (orchids), Bromeliaceae (bromeliads), Araceae (aroids), and Polypodiaceae (ferns). Each of these families includes many epiphytic species adapted to life in the canopy of forests, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.

Orchids

Orchids are perhaps the most well-known epiphytes. They are highly diverse, with many species adapting to life in the tree canopies of tropical forests. Epiphytic orchids thrive by attaching to trees in humid environments, absorbing moisture and nutrients through their aerial roots. These orchids are renowned for their striking flowers and varied forms. They adapt to life above the forest floor, accessing better light and air circulation.

• Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid): One of the most common household orchids due to its ease of care and beautiful blooms.
• Dendrobium: Known for its sturdy and colorful flowers, Dendrobium is a large genus of orchids that often grows on trees.

Phalaenopsis – Moth Orchid

Bromeliads

Bromeliads are a unique family of plants, primarily known for their striking, often colorful foliage and central water-holding structure. They thrive in tropical and subtropical climates, growing both as epiphytes and terrestrial plants. Their vivid flowers and durable leaves make them popular in both natural and cultivated settings.

• Guzmania: Popular for their bright, funnel-shaped flowers and glossy leaves.
• Tillandsia (Air Plants): True air plants that absorb everything they need through their leaves and are known for their minimal root system.

Tillandsia ionantha – Air Plant

Ferns

Ferns are ancient, non-flowering plants known for their lush, feathery fronds that reproduce via spores. Thriving in moist, shady environments, they are a staple in woodland gardens and indoor plant collections. Many ferns are epiphytic, thriving in moist, shady environments.

• Platycerium bifurcatum (Staghorn Fern): Named for its large, antler-like fronds, this fern is often mounted on boards and hung on walls.
• Asplenium nidus (Bird’s Nest Fern): Features simple, large, ripple-edged leaves that form a nest-like crown.

Platycerium bifurcatum – Staghorn Fern

Aroids

Epiphytic cacti, such as the popular Christmas cactus, thrive in tree canopies, deriving moisture and nutrients from the air and debris around them. Unlike their desert relatives, these cacti prefer humid conditions and indirect light, showcasing cascading branches and vibrant blooms that make them favored houseplants. 

• Schlumbergera x buckleyi (Christmas Cactus): Popular in cultivation for its bright flowers that bloom around the winter holidays.
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Queen of Night): Known for its large, beautiful flowers and broad, flat leaves.

Schlumbergera x buckleyi – Christmas Cactus

Mosses, Lichens, and Liverworts

Mosses, lichens, and liverworts are superbly adapted to capture moisture and nutrients from the air and rain, thriving in environments with high humidity and indirect light. They contribute significantly to the biodiversity of forest ecosystems, providing important ecological services such as water retention and habitat for numerous microorganisms and invertebrates. These epiphytes also add to the aesthetics and health of their host plants by insulating them and protecting them from extreme temperatures.

• Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish Moss): Not actually a moss but a bromeliad, this plant drapes over tree limbs in long, grayish curtains.
• Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri): A type of lichen used in perfumes, growing primarily on the branches of oak trees.

Tillandsia usneoides – Spanish Moss

Holo-Epiphyte versus Hemi-Epiphyte?

Terrestrial epiphytes are typically divided into two categories: holo-epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes.

• Holo-epiphytes spend their entire life cycle suspended above the ground, never making direct contact with the earth. Orchids are a prominent example of this type.
• Hemi-epiphytes begin their life in the air but eventually send roots down to the ground as they mature. Strangler figs are a well-known example of hemi-epiphytes, starting life in the canopy and gradually establishing a connection with the soil.

Marine Epiphytes

Marine epiphytes are fascinating organisms that thrive in aquatic environments. They attach themselves to submerged surfaces like seaweed, mangrove roots, and other marine plants. Like their terrestrial counterparts, marine epiphytes rely on their host structures for physical support while deriving their nutrients directly from the surrounding water through their surfaces. This group includes a diverse array of species from different taxonomic groups, including algae, bacteria, fungi, and small invertebrates.

Cryptanthus bivittatus – Earth Star Bromeliad

Epiphyte Care

Epiphyte species make good houseplants due to their minimal water and soil requirements.

Light Requirements

Epiphytes generally thrive in bright, indirect light. They are adapted to the filtered light of forest canopies and can be burned by direct sunlight. East or north-facing windows are ideal for indoor epiphytes, providing the light they need without the harsh intensity of direct midday sun.

Review the specific growing guidelines for your plant, as certain epiphytes may thrive in full shade or require direct sunlight.

Watering Practices

Watering needs vary among epiphytic plants, but most require a method that mimics the natural rainfall they would experience in their native habitats:

• Thorough Soaking: Drench the plant until water runs out of the container, ensuring the roots and any water-holding structures are fully saturated.
• Allow to Dry: Between waterings, allow the plant to dry out somewhat. Epiphytes are susceptible to root rot if they remain too wet, as their roots are adapted to quick drying out in nature.

Humidity Levels

High humidity is crucial for most epiphytes, reflecting their tropical origin. Maintaining indoor humidity around 50-70% is ideal. Humidity trays or room humidifiers can be beneficial, especially in drier climates or during winter when indoor heating can significantly reduce air moisture.

Feeding/Fertilizing

Epiphytes benefit from regular feeding during their growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at a quarter or half strength, depending on the plant’s specific requirements. Over-fertilizing can harm their sensitive roots, so it’s crucial to follow a less-is-more approach.

Air Circulation

Good air circulation is essential for keeping epiphyte roots healthy. It helps prevent diseases by mimicking the breezy conditions of natural habitat and aids in drying the medium appropriately after watering.

Potting Media and Mounting

Many epiphytes, such as orchids and staghorn ferns, can be grown in very loose, airy potting mixes designed for epiphytic plants or mounted directly onto pieces of wood or bark:

• Potting Mixes: Use materials like orchid bark, coconut husk, perlite, and sphagnum moss that drain quickly and don’t retain excessive moisture.
• Mounting: When mounting, secure the plant with fishing line, wire, or non-toxic glue until the roots have established enough to hold the plant in place.

General Maintenance

Regularly inspect for pests such as scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids. Keep the plant clean by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and potential pests. This not only keeps the plant healthy but also enhances photosynthesis by keeping the leaves clear.

Asplenium nidus – Bird’s Nest Fern

Frequently Asked Questions

What trees do epiphytes grow on?

Epiphytes can grow on various trees but typically prefer those with rough bark to better anchor their roots. They are commonly found on oak, maple, and pine trees in temperate zones and on mahogany and rubber trees in tropical areas. The choice often depends on the tree’s ability to catch moisture and debris, providing a nutrient-rich environment for the epiphytes.

Are epiphytes good or bad?

Epiphytes are generally considered beneficial for their ecosystems. They do not harm their host plants but instead use them merely for support. Epiphytes add to biodiversity, create habitats for other wildlife, help in the cycling of nutrients, and can even aid in the water balance of the forest ecosystems where they reside.

Do epiphytes harm the host plant?

No, epiphytes do not harm their host plants as they are not parasitic. They do not extract nutrients from the host but instead obtain water and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris around them. However, in extremely dense populations, they can sometimes weigh down branches or block light from the host plant’s own leaves, which can be more of a physical burden than a detriment to the host’s health.