Tillandsia kolbii (Air Plant)

Tillandsia kolbii is a compact, manageable air plant native to the highlands of Mexico and Guatemala. It was previously known as Tillandsia ionantha var. scaposa, and the relationship shows: it shares the tight rosette form and narrow, recurving leaves of the ionantha family, but kolbii stays a bit smaller and has a distinctly pointed, almost star-shaped appearance when viewed from above. The leaves are green to silver-green with good trichome coverage, and at bloom time the inner leaves flush pink to red before purple tubular flowers emerge from the center of the rosette.

At 2 to 3 inches across, kolbii is one of the most compact air plants available, which makes it endlessly versatile for display. It works on refrigerator magnets, inside small terrariums, wired onto wreaths, or grouped in clusters on driftwood or slate. Because of its size it also makes an approachable entry point for people trying air plants for the first time.

Turn it upside down after soaking so no water sits in the crown.