What a breeze: with little upkeep and lots of beauty, air plants let you start off the year with a carefree attitude.

The holidays are over, the festivities have ceased, and you're probably thinking your house looks a little boring now that the decorations are stored away. Well, don't fret! There's an easy way to add pizzazz to your home for the last stretch of winter: with air plants. These plants will bring color and life into your home, perhaps even giving it the feel of a tropical rainforest. So toss out the holly and mistletoe and fill each room with plants that will warm your home and brighten your spirits all year round.

Air plants are some of the most fascinating plants in existence. Unlike most plants, air plants do not need soil to survive. They are epiphytic plants, which means that their leaves take in the water and nutrients they need to live. While these plants do have roots, their function is completely different. Horticulturist Norman Winter of Mississippi State University's Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center explains that "the roots are mostly an anchoring device instead of an organ for water and nutrient uptake." Now you may be thinking that these unique plants sound complicated and stressful, but they only require a small amount of upkeep, which includes misting the leaves and fertilizing occasionally (and even this is optional). If you're ready for a change in your gardening routine, or if you want to take on a new hobby for the New Year, air plants may be just the thing.

Before starting out on your journey toward purchasing an air plant, there are a few facts to know so you'll be prepared when you enter a nursery. Air plant is the common name for a Tillandsia. Every plant is a member of a family and a genus, and in this case, an air plant's genus is Tillandsia, which is part of the larger Bromeliad family. (Note: Not all Bromeliads are air plants.)

While there are dozens of Tillandsia selections to choose from, some popular ones include Spanish moss, staghorn fern, and various tropical orchids. Mary Kellogg of Bogue Chitto says that Cattleya, Oncidium, and Dendrobium orchids are very popular choices. "In my experience, there are many out there, but the Vanda orchid is my favorite air plant," admits Mary.

Mary and her husband, Dennis, are members of the Baton Rouge Bromeliad Society and have devoted much of their lives to collecting, growing, and selling Bromeliads and Tillandsias. The couple even has an eBay store called Bromeliads R US, through which they sell plants grown in their greenhouse.

Once you've bought an air plant, it's time to find a spot for it in your home. Air plants should be fastened to another object, such as a piece of driftwood or a seashell, using ordinary wire, fishing line, or waterproof glue. (Note: Don't use superglue or copper wire--these will kill the plant!) If you want to place the plants outside around your patio or garden, secure them to rocks, trees, birdbaths, or deck banisters. But just because they're air plants doesn't mean they have to be hung up in the air. You can also fasten these plants to seashells or rocks and use them as the centerpiece on a table in your home. Wherever you choose to place the plants, get creative!

Here are a few fun ideas: Try hanging a tropical orchid in a frequently used bathroom that has a window. The daily steam from the shower and the indirect sunlight from the window will cause the plant to flourish. Plus, your spirits will be lifted every time you step out of the shower! Keep an air plant above the sink or on the counter in your kitchen. The Kelloggs have many Tillandsias in their kitchen. "It's a great place to have them because they absorb the humidity created from washing dishes and they receive indirect light through the window," says Mary.

Keeping these plants hydrated is the key to their survival. Air plants rely fully on their leaves, which are covered in small scales that absorb and trap nutrients and water. Since these plants grow naturally in moist areas such as rainforests, you will want to provide them with a similar atmosphere. Mist their leaves with water two to three times a week, and if your plant lives in an extremely dry area, hold it under a faucet until the leaves are dripping wet once or twice a week. Be very careful when handling air plants. The scales on the leaves are extremely delicate, and if they are injured, they will not be able to absorb properly. (Note: Thick- and thin-leaved air plants require different amounts of water, so never hang or place them together.)

The trickiest part of caring for air plants involves finding the perfect amount of light for them. Mary explains, "They love light but hate direct light." Place them in an area in your home or patio that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Temperature is not as crucial as light, but try to keep the plants in a moderate climate. Usually anywhere between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit is suitable for air plants. If they're outside, be careful not to let them freeze during the winter months.

Once you've given your plant a home and plenty of water, sit back, enjoy its beauty, and watch it change. The growth cycle of Tillandsias is quite different than most plants. The mother plant only blooms once in its life, and after that bloom reaches maturity, the mother plant will slowly begin to die while transferring its energy to its offspring, or "pups." These "pups" will sprout from the base of the plant, and once they have reached a significantly large size (and you can see their roots have formed), you can separate and cut them off, leaving you with many more air plants to hang.

If you keep your air plants in the right light and sufficiently watered, they'll be with you for several years. And once you've experienced the low hassle and beauty of these plants, you may never be digging in soil again.

View some of the Kellogg's plants online at stores.ebay.com/BROMELIADS-R-US.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT COLEMAN