The tropical "air plants" (epiphytes) are in the Bromeliad family, genus Tillandsia. They are first cousin to Spanish Moss; in their native habitat, they live in the treetops, often among ferns and orchids. Good circulation and bright filtered light are essential to their environment. Air plants need a drenching mist twice a week or a good soaking once a week. Completely submerge the plant awhile - even over night is OK. Fertilize once a month (half-strength).

Owner told they need little to no water
They did not get enough light (more than 10 feet away from a bright window or skylight)
They were placed in direct sunlight. Garden windows are generally too warm unless they are shaded or facing north.

DO

• Shake off excess water after watering (especially in the large fleshy varieties). Turn upside-down and let the base dry before putting it back in its container.
• Give tall, thin-leave varieties (T. Butzii, T. Juncea, etc.) an extra spray on their tips, as they dry out faster.
• Place plants in containers with natural holes, as opposed to gluing them. This will make it much easier to water them, especially when you use the soaking method. And you don't have to wait for the whole container to dry before putting it back in its place!
• Trim away any brown, dried or injured (bent) leaves (this will not harm the plant).
• Leave pups (babies) on mother plant, as Tillandsia airplants are much heartier if left to form a colony (specimen). But, if you wish, you may cut off bloomed-out flower when its color dries up. Trim dried *mother" plant away after new plants ("pups") have formed. If more than one new plant has formed, they can be removed once they reach the size of the mother plant.

DON'T

• Don't worry about roots. You can cut them off to make it easier to place them in containers (they will grow back). This also makes it easier to water them.
• Don't leave water sitting in the crevices of big, fleshy Bromeliads - Tillandsias. Shake them off!
• Don't put them in containers that hold moisture around the base (or, let them dry well before returning them to their containers).
• Don't throw Bromeliad - Tillandsias away if there is any green left to the plants. Soak them for 24 hours.
• Don't soak the flower while in bloom (prolonged periods of soaking will rot them).
• Don't water plants in clumps as much, as clumped Bromeliad - Tillandsias hold more moisture.
• Don't combine thick- and thin-leaf varieties in the same container, since their watering schedules will be different.
• Don't let them freeze!