What Hemi-epiphytic Plants Are and Common Species

Hemi-epyphitic plants are ones that use both roots in soil or potting mix and can also use aerial roots to take nutrition from the hosts they climb including trees and rocks without being parasitic. This is different from an Epiphyte that likely grows its entire life on another plant or host in the wild, although many plants that are considered epiphytes like Monstera may actually start in potting mix if they’re propagated by people in a nursery vs. in the wild. 

To identify a hemi-epiphytic plant, look for:

• Plants growing on another plant but the roots are reaching downwards towards the soil below vs. growing upwards and along the host.

• The plant germinates above ground in the wild, and the seeds or sprouts can be found at the top of a host plant, then it grows downwards.

• The root system will stretch starting from the top of or high up in the canopy where the plant’s life begins, and connect to the soil in the ground below.

• Large and lush tropical leaves at the lower levels vs. juvenile foliage where the plant began life are a sign of hemi-epiphytes.

• The roots towards and in the ground should be thicker and more rugged than the aerial roots and the maturing plant should be towards these roots.

Unlike a holo-epiphyte that lives entirely outside of soil and potting mix, or epiphytes that become hemi-epiphytes as they’re propagated at a garden center and grow upwards to reach a forest canopy, hemi-epiphytes grow towards the ground. This means their roots are always reaching for the soil below and they climb down their host vs. up to reach the sunlight above the canopy.

While the plant grows downwards light becomes less available so the leaves grow larger and sometimes have unique underside or topside coloring in colors like red like some species of Syngonium (Arrowhead Plants) to help the plant reflect and absorb enough sunlight to photosynthesize and survive. The need for the roots to adjust is also vital for survival.

Aerial roots need to be more fine and hook into the host while ground roots need to be thick and penetrate rough soil. The ground roots will be thicker and stronger while the aerial roots may be lighter in color and hook into nooks and crannies that gather water and debris. 

Hemi-epiphytes are more common than you’d think, and you’ve likely seen them in restaurants, home and garden centers, hotel lobbies, and likely have some in your own home if you’re a plant parent.

Have you heard of “The Tree of Life” which can also be called the “Banyan Tree?” This famous Fig tree is a Hemi-epiphyte. Examples of famous ones include the 151 year old Lahaina one that was almost lost to fire in Hawaii in 2023, and the Great Banyan which is the largest in the world and located in India. But Banyan trees aren’t the only ones you’ve likely seen or likely own. Hemi-epiphytic plant species are more common than you think, here’s a few including some you may be growing in your home.

The Christmas Cactus is one of the most popular houseplants and given as gifts around the winter holidays since that is when they are leaving their dormant state to bloom. Christmas Cactus are not naturally occurring like Philodendron and Fern, they were cultivated in 1852 to be Hemi-epiphytes from two Cacti found in the Brazilian rainforest. 

Something interesting is that these tropical houseplants can live for over 100 years, which means they can become a gift that families take a photo with each holiday and pass to each new generation. It gives a new meaning to “family tree” when there’s an actual plant in it!

Not all Fern are Hemi-epiphytes as there are more than 10,500 known species with some dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. Popular ones you can find in hanging baskets like the “Bird’s Nest Fern” and “Elkhorn” are Hemi-epiphytic plants that make great additions to porches, kitchens, and any room in your home. 

“Drynaria” and “Platycerium” are Epiphytes vs. Hemi-epiphytes, and one of the most popular of the genus is the “Boston Fern”, which is not an Epiphyte at all. 

Ficus are also known as “Fig Trees” and include the Banyan mentioned above. While Epiphytes and Hemi-epiphytes are not parasitic, meaning they don’t drain the host of nutrients, Ficus may kill the host by “strangling” it. They wrap around the host and use it for support until they become strong enough to stand on their own.

When this happens it could deprive the host via “girdling” and then use both their grounded and aerial roots to stand and live on their own. This is what gives the Banyan Trees their signature look.

With more than 480 species of Philodendron and their ability to thrive with little to no attention, they’re some of the most popular Hemi-epephitic tropical houseplants. Their leaf shapes and variegation (color patterns) make them a dream for collectors, and they add natural pops of color to groupings of plants. Certain species of Philodendron have extrafloral nectaries like “Ring of Fire” which they use to attract insects like ants as a way to protect them and bring nutrients like debris to them. 

This Hemi-epiphyte has a unique reproductive cycle that lasts for 2 - 3 months with each bloom only lasting for a single day starting around dawn. The short and early blooming period means it must attract pollinators as close as possible in the morning for a chance to reproduce. 

Once the pollination process is finished, the beans and pod will begin to develop over the next 8 - 9 months. After all of this time, only one tablespoon of vanilla extract can be created from each vanilla bean which is why this Hemi-epiphytic plant has one of the highest valued byproducts along with Saffron and Cardamom.

Hemi-epiphytes are plants that grow both in soil or potting mix and on hosts like trees and rock formations. Their ability to climb and adapt leaf size, color, and shape have helped them to thrive in tropical rainforests and people’s homes.