How do air plants work?

Question

OK you know those plants that can suppossedly live without water or soil, how do they work? Don't plants need the nutrients from the soil to live? Don't they even need water at all! Are they real plants, or did I just buy a plastic fern? Thanks to any and all comments and help. Thanks! :D

Answer 1

There are a few different things called an "air plant". There's one I know of that also goes by the name "resurrection plant" that dries up in a ball and "comes back to life" when you put it in water. It has something of a fernlike appearance, so this might be what you bought: http://faculty.ucc.edu/biology-ombrello/POW/resurrection_plant.htm

The true "air plant" is a bromeliad (relative of pineapple) that grows in trees. They get some nutrients from dead leaves, etc. in the cracks on the tree bark and some from bird droppings. These need a very humid environment to survive: http://www.airplant.com/

Another "plant" called air plant is an algae that is dried and dyed. This one doesn't do much of anything!

Answer 2

Of course they're not living plants. I suspect they're dead plants painted bright green.

Answer 3

This tells you how one variety of them "work":
http://plantsforkids.com/airplant.html