Tillandsia polystachia (Air Plant)

Tillandsia polystachia carries a name that describes its most distinctive feature: poly meaning many, stachia meaning spikes, pointing to the branched, multi-spiked inflorescence that sets it apart from single-spike species. It is historically significant as one of the earliest tillandsia species to be formally named and described. Native to the Caribbean and surrounding regions of Central America and northern South America, polystachia produces a rosette of long, fairly wide, bright green leaves that read lush and tropical compared to the silver-leaved xeric types. Plants reach 4 to 6 inches tall and 4 to 5 inches wide.

At bloom time, the foliage develops striking streaks of dark purple, and the plant sends up a tall branched spike carrying purple flowers. The multi-part bloom structure is genuinely unusual among commonly available tillandsias and makes this one easy to identify once you've seen it. The whole flowering episode, from the first purple streaking in the leaves to the last flower, lasts several weeks.

Polystachia is classified as beginner-friendly and recovers readily from occasional missed waterings.