Air plants(airplants) are the common name for Tillandsias , a type of Bromeliad that grows on rocks, trees shrubs etc without soil ...they receive all of their water and nutrients from the air through specialized leaves. Unlike other plants, the roots of tillandsias are not used for absorbing water and nutrients but serve only as anchors to attach anything in reach like trees or rocks. Most belong to the genus Tillandsia.....there are over 600 known species plus many new hybrids. Tillandsias grow in parts of the southern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America on trees as epiphyes, and on rocks (saxicolously). Tillandsias make unique houseplants and can be used in vivariums, terrariums or just sitting in a cup or in a mantis container. Water them with distilled water or filtered water, the same you use for your mantis, once or twice a week, immerse them in water for about 10 minutes, they like indirect light.