Echeveria is an easy-to-produce succulent. Air plants are also great for those with brown thumbs looking to get some bragging rights. What Type of Water is Used for Air Plants? A soil mixture that has too much substrate will not retain enough water. It doesn't take much for misinformation to spread quickly thanks to the digital age. Watering air plants doesn't have to be a high-brow process. It is not suitable for air plants because they depend on nutrients and minerals for their growth. Because they can't absorb nutrients or water, their roots can attach to rocks or other shrubs.