A species related to Tillandsia xiphioides has relatively few, stiff leaves in an open rosette, with a lanceolate inflorescence of yellow. Flowers are yellow, but unlike xiphioides, not fragrant. We found this species growing on rocks in the full sun, not far from the Rio Santa Rosa in central Bolivia.

Crossing the Santa Rosa in our little jeep, we were nearly swept away when the water got as deep as our door handles! This rare plant had not been in cultivation in the U.S. before then. Grow bright with good air circulation. Restrict water in winter.

This is an interesting plant that was first found and collected by Tropiflora's, Dennis Cathcart, on a 1993 expedition. The habitat is the geologically incredible ‘Valle de la Luna’ outside of La Paz, Bolivia. An area of highly eroded hard clay and sandstone that resembles, to some, the surface of the moon. There are thousands of pinnacles and steep cliffs. The occasional shelf holds many species of cacti and at least one Tillandsia; Til. prolata. The plants grow in huge clusters of thousands of plants. All are connected and form long, caulescent stems with short, broadly triangular leaves, covered with silvery trichomes. Roots may or may not form. The inflorescence is a simple spike to about eight inches, with dry, brown bracts and bearing large white, fragrant flowers with spreading petals forming an open corolla.

When first discovered, it was unknown in cultivation, and it was assumed that it would likely not survive at sea level. The habitat is just short of 12,000 feet of altitude with a very dry atmosphere. Harry Luther at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens described the plant as Tillandsia xiphioides ssp. Prolata after flowering it in cultivation in 1995. Since then it was elevated to a full species; prolata, by Gouda and Barfuss in 2015.

For best results, grow bright and on the dry side. Otherwise the culture is like that of many other high altitude, dry growing Tillandsias which seem to thrive in almost any conditions. 

This Peruvian plant has silver leaves with a fragrant plum-colored inflorescence.