It will also grow away from wetlands if humidity is fairly high. It is found on both broadleaf and needle-leaf trees, deciduous trees and evergreens. It is common in Florida on hackberry and live oak trees, since these trees have more nearly horizontal branches than many other species. The latter factor is the reason camphor trees appear to resist infestation. Many tropical trees release chemicals which make conditions unfavorable for growth of young Tillandsias.
Greener plants are indicative of a healthier environment.
Festoons of gray Spanish moss may not be healthy or may be suffering from moisture stress or other environmental factors. A careful inspection of a heavy festoon of moss will reveal that individual plants are usually only 15 to 20 centimeters in length. While plants do occasionally reach lengths of 45 centimeters, the apparent length is the result of numerous plants overlapping each other. Dead portions of the plant look like black horsehair. Like horsehair, they were once used to stuff furniture and automobile seats.