Many of the common houseplants we know and love live a completely different life in their natural environment. We have modified these plants to tolerate our homes and lifestyles for so long that we can easily forget their history and their role in nature.

In tropical forests, many plants grow high above the forest floor as epiphytes. Rather than growing in the ground, they use trees for support, reaching toward available light while taking advantage of rain, humidity, and organic material that collects around them. They don't take nutrients from the trees themselves; instead, the tree simply provides a place to grow.

Orchids

Many tropical varieties, like Phalaenopsis, grow high up on tree branches, clinging to tree bark.

Phalaenopsis orchids are the gifts we receive from loved ones, the pop of color we bring into our homes, and one of the many reasons we have an excuse to go get another. Typically, in stores, we keep them in decorative vases or pots, upright and traditionally displayed. In their natural environment, they love a good tree to cling to while their flower stalks hang naturally downward.

Orchids have evolved over time and have been cultivated into some spectacular species.

Bromeliads/Air Plants

Plants like Tillandsia catch rainwater in their central cups.

Bromeliads are another fascinating group of epiphytic plants. Some bromeliads form cups in the center of their leaves that collect rainwater and organic debris, creating a small reservoir that helps sustain the plant.

Tillandsia, commonly known as air plants, take this lifestyle even further. They can attach themselves to branches, bark, or other surfaces without needing to grow in traditional soil. Specialized structures on their leaves allow them to capture moisture and nutrients from their surroundings.

Staghorn Ferns

Staghorn ferns cling to bark with specialized flat fronds.

Staghorn ferns are fascinating because their roots and shield-like fronds wrap around tree bark, allowing them to cling to surfaces as they suspend effortlessly in the air. Trees are naturally porous, allowing the roots of these plants to breathe and absorb moisture as needed.

This is why you will often see staghorn ferns mounted on bark or wood. With the help of support wire and sphagnum moss, these ferns can thrive.

Pothos

Epipremnum aureum (Pothos) is a climbing epiphyte native to tropical forests, where it uses aerial roots to scale tall trees instead of growing in the ground.

Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as pothos, is a tried-and-true plant many of us have around the house. It’s easy to care for, tolerant, and beautiful. These common houseplants come in many different varieties and colors.

The roots of these plants tend not to show themselves indoors, but outdoors they play a completely different role. Their aerial roots spread out and search for light and water sources. These roots can wrap around trees and absorb rainwater from the bark.

These natural environments also allow the leaves to grow up to three times larger than what we typically see inside our homes.

Epiphytic plants have evolved remarkable ways to survive above the forest floor. They cling to trees, collect moisture, capture light, and make use of the resources available around them.

The next time you look at an orchid, pothos, bromeliad, or staghorn fern, remember that these familiar houseplants have a wild history—one that reaches far beyond the pot sitting on our windowsill.