Ball moss gets most of its water from the air, through its leaves, and from rainfall. Its fibrous root structure acts as an anchor to hold it in place on the host plant and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and host, and its leaf surfaces have tiny scales that help it absorb water droplets from fog, dew, and rainfall.
Ball mosses are drought-tolerant and can survive in various environments. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and can be found in humid forests, swamps, and even deserts. They can also attach themselves to man-made structures, such as trees, fences, and buildings.